Boxing
Compliments and trash talk won't throw Itauma off his game
Moses vs. Hrgovic: Only on DAZN PPV – Saturday
Moses Itauma is flattered to be called the best heavyweight since Muhammad Ali — but he refuses to let compliments go to his head.
With the vacant IBF world heavyweight title up for grabs against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday night, Moses is the name on everyone’s lips.
The undefeated Brit, 21, has been tipped to dominate boxing’s glamour division for years to come, with Oleksandr Usyk and Billy Joe Saunders among those singing his praises.
It was Saunders who made the bold claim about him being the most talented fighter since the legendary Ali.
Moses blows away Franklin inside five rounds
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But Moses has played down those comments due to the former two-weight world champion’s close relationship with his trainer Ben Davison.
“I appreciate it, but I see Billy in the gym a lot,” he told DAZN News during an exclusive interview. “He's very good mates with Ben. He's backstage, so it's kind of a bit biased, isn't it?
“I don't know him, but he's around. But yeah, of course it is [nice to hear].”
With an unblemished record of 14 wins since turning pro, Moses can become the youngest heavyweight champ since Mike Tyson by slaying Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena.
The possibility of achieving that feat brings even higher expectations but the Kent knockout artist is not letting it weigh him down.
He added: “It's good, isn't it? But ultimately it’s not what I'm focusing on. I'm focusing on Hrgovic and then the title comes.
“You don't focus on the world title or the success. You focus on the path that's going to get you there — beating Hrgovic is going to get me there.”
Hrgovic, 34, has attempted to throw his foe off his game by landing some verbal blows ahead of their showdown.
But if any of the barbs are getting to Moses, he certainly isn’t letting it show.
“Everything he has said has either been incorrect or he just doesn't know,” he said. “It’s not the full story.
Queensberry
“Is it getting under my skin? I wouldn't say so, no. I know what he is like.
“He's a good fighter. He's got a good chin, respectable power, stamina. And obviously his highlight is his heart.
“I know what I'm up against, but he doesn’t know what he's up against.”
When all the talking is said and done, Moses clearly expects to be the one with his hand raised in victory after going to war on Saturday night.
Moses vs. Hrgovic - exclusively on DAZN PPV
Watch Moses Itauma attempt to become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday night, only on DAZN.
Buy as a one-off PPV or included along with Garcia vs. Benn (Sept 12, UK only) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct 31) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
