Itauma and Hrgovic duel for IBF heavyweight belt

Moses Itauma will fight for the IBF heavyweight belt against Filip Hrgovic (Instagram/@m.itauma).

JAKARTA - The heavyweight boxing match between Moses Itauma against Filip Hrgovic has now officially gone up a class. The duel has been sanctioned by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) as a fight for the vacant heavyweight world title.

The clash between the two boxers is scheduled to take place at the O2 Arena, London, England, on August 29. The empty IBF belt after being released by Oleksandr Usyk in early June 2026 will also be contested in the clash.

Promoter Frank Warren, who oversees Itauma, said that the heavyweight title fight was a golden opportunity for his client, who is touted as one of the best heavyweight talents today.

"A lot of people have high expectations of him, as do I. We signed him when he was 16. He was still an amateur. We sponsored him and he became a professional with us," Warren said, quoted by BBC Sport.

Itauma and Hrgovic are indeed confirmed to be the main parties in the Queensberry Promotions event broadcast via DAZN pay-per-view. However, the IBF belt fight makes the fight now have a much bigger stake, especially for Itauma.

The 21-year-old fighter is widely considered the next heavyweight boxing star after winning 12 knockout victories (KO) out of 14 professional fights. So, this is his golden opportunity to enter the elite heavyweight ranks.

"He's been incredible and it's as if he's rocked the world. It's a big moment for him, but I'm sure he can do it," Warren said.

The IBF previously ordered Itauma to face Frank Sanchez (26-1, 19 KO) to fight for the vacant title. Sanchez was then ranked first by the IBF, while Itauma was in third place.

However, the agreement for Itauma's fight against Hrgovic had already been reached. The first press conference related to the duel was even held on June 22, 2026, a few days before the IBF issued its official decision.

Warren revealed that his party would pay compensation to Sanchez to be willing to delay the opportunity to win the title. In addition, the 34-year-old Cuban boxer is guaranteed to be the first challenger for the winner of the Itauma vs Hrgovic match.

"We paid Sanchez a certain amount of money. We said that whoever wins later, he will not be harmed because he will have the opportunity to challenge the champion in the first title defense," said Warren.

Both Itauma and Hrgovic will be making their first opportunity to compete for the world title. Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KO) is currently ranked fifth by The Ring magazine, while Itauma is one level below.

If he wins, Itauma will become the second youngest heavyweight world champion in history. The current record for the youngest world champion is still held by Mike Tyson, who won the world title at the age of 20 years and four months.

The second position is occupied by Floyd Patterson who became world champion at the age of 21 years 10 months after defeating Archie Moore in 1956. When facing Hrgovic on August 29, 2026, Itauma will be 21 years eight months and one day.

Thus, the victory will make him surpass Patterson's achievement and only behind Tyson in the list of the youngest world heavyweight champions of all time.