Could Hrgovic truly really enter endgame with Moses defeat?

The Croatian's eyebrow-raising statement earlier this week added a new layer of intrigue to the pair's IBF heavyweight clash.

A former interim belt contender, the Rio 2016 favourite has long pursued the holy grail of the glamour division - a full world title.

Thirty-four this past June, age is still seemingly on his side too - and yet, he has suggested the endgame could yet be in sight.

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So is Hrgovic serious that he is running out of road to earn his place in the history books? Or is this just mind games at play?

DAZN News considers what defeat to Moses would actually mean for the star - and where he may opt to go if he does lose.

What has Hrgovic said?

Earlier this week, Hrgovic suggested that "the whole world has already written me off" in regards to his chances with Moses.

But he went one further and suggested he could be on the verge of wrapping up his heavyweight career if he comes up short.

"I don't have a lot to lose," he said. "I have a comeback fight in my contract [if I do lose]. [But] it's near the end for me if I lose."

Though Hrgovic went on to stress his confidence for victory, his statement nevertheless courted its fair share of questions.

The idea that just a second career loss could define the end of his time near the summit is intriguing. But is it the truth?

Can Hrgovic become champion?

Defeat to Moses would not spell the end of Hrgovic's ambitions to become champion though - not by any obvious metric.

One of the few men to be ranked with all four major governing bodies, he theoretically has a path to three other world titles.

It is unlikely that a loss would see Hrgovic take an immediate second shot, of course. But that comeback fight could be key.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Prevail against another top-ranked foe, and he could be in the path of WBA man Murat Gassiev or WBC star Agit Kabayel.

That might well prove to be a key route, especially given the likely box-office a Pan-European bout with the latter could pull.

Is Hrgovic serious in his threats?

This is the kicker. In his mid-thirties, Hrgovic is far from finished by the average age of the biggest heavyweights out there.

But a sea change is coming. More than a decade younger, Moses represents a hungry breed of new star aiming for the top.

Hrgovic's lone loss came against WBO champion Daniel Dubois, a man who still has six years less mileage on the clock too.

Though the window will not be shut for the Croatian if he is defeated, it will undoubtedly be one that has grown more narrow.

The answers, then, will only come when the dust settles in London. One thing is for sure - Hrgovic won't want to discover them.

Moses vs. Hrgovic - exclusively on DAZN PPV

Watch Moses Itauma take the next step in his unstoppable career against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday, August 29, only on DAZN.

Buy as a one-off PPV or included along with Romero vs. Lopez (Aug 22) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here .