Boxing
It’s Itauma vs. Hrgovic and Davison vs. the doubters at The O2
Moses vs Hrgovic: Watch only on DAZN PPV - Aug 29
Rightly or wrongly, there are moments in boxing when the spotlight can feel like an interrogation lamp. And for Ben Davison, Moses Itauma’s meeting with Filip Hrgovic in a few weeks is threatening to become just that.
To the uninitiated, Davison is one of the most prominent boxing trainers in the UK. He gained widespread recognition for orchestrating Tyson Fury's miraculous career-reviving comeback back between 2017 and 2019 and has also worked with Anthony Joshua and Fabio Wardley among others.
He is the man entrusted with guiding Itauma to greatness, and the 14-0 (12) heavyweight prodigy faces easily the biggest test of his career in his upcoming August 29 clash with Hrgovic – now for the IBF heavyweight title - on DAZN Pay-Per-View and Ultimate Tier.
Itauma is the sure thing. The heir apparent. There is no way he can lose. Except there is. Hrgovic is rough and ready. A spiteful puncher. As an amateur, he won the gold medal at the 2015 European Championships and a bronze at the 2016 Olympics. They don’t give those types of medals away. The man can fight.
So this is an acid test for both boxer and trainer alike. At the age of just 33 Davison has already enjoyed some unforgettable nights in the corner. But inevitably, given his profile, there has also been criticism.
It’s a tough gig being a top-level boxing trainer in 2026. A couple of high-profile defeats and suddenly every armchair strategist, pub bore and former British world champion with a podcast is conducting a forensic audit of your methods.
Hrgovic a significant step up for Itauma
Hrgovic is a significant step up for Itauma. He’s not here to make up the numbers. The Croatian puncher is experienced, durable, technically educated and sufficiently violent to ensure Moses must answer questions instead of merely asking them with his fists, as has been the case so far in a flawless pro career that began in 2023.
Davison famously came under heavy fire for instructing Anthony Joshua to “roll the dice” against Daniel Dubois in their 2024 Wembley show-stopper. Heading into what proved to be the final round, AJ had been down three times and - with the former two-time heavyweight worlds champion still buzzed - Davison told his fighter to 'roll the dice' and uncork the right uppercut.
After briefly rallying in the fifth stanza, Joshua was brutally knocked out by Dubois in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium. Hindsight is a wonderful thing in sports but listening back to the corner instructions for that one at the end of the fourth, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that in the fog of war reality was lost.
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The savage, shocking stoppage of one of the sport’s biggest superstars inevitably led to an inquest into Davison's corner advice from those in the trade.
Reacting to the fight - fellow trainer Shane McGuigan was very critical - stating: "I think that is dangerous advice there to be honest, getting him to bring it up (the uppercut) off the double jab," he said of Davison's instructions.
Davison later clarified that it was actually a calculated tactical adjustment that had been practiced in camp, noting to talkSPORT, “The roll of the the dice is something he has worked on throughout camp.”
Whatever the truth, Joshua’s fight against Dubois in September 2024 was the last bout in which Davison was in his corner.
Dubois has been kryptonite to Davison fighters
Dubois has been kryptonite to Davison in recent years, with another of his high-profile heavyweights – Ipswich warmonger Wardley - losing to him via stoppage earlier this year.
Wardley was a slight betting favourite going into that one but after a razor-sharp start - Wardley stunned Dubois and dropped him with a heavy right hook just under 10 seconds into the opening bell and had him over again in round three – Dubois began to punish Davison’s fighter.
The end came via an 11th-round technical knockout, but anyone with eyes would have concluded afterwards that Wardley should have been pulled out at least a few rounds before the end actually came.
Rightly or wrongly trainers – like referees – only get noticed when things go wrong. So, while rewarding financially at this level, it’s a thankless task at times.
To be clear, Davison’s reputation is on the line at The O2 in London. If Itauma wins impressively, the recent disappointments attached to his stable will evaporate with astonishing speed. All will be rosy in the Davison garden once more and he will be the proud trainer of the second youngest world heavyweight champion in history.
Should Itauma lose, however, questions regarding Davison’s authenticity of a top-level coach will multiply tenfold. So, you see this fight isn’t just about the kid, it’s about the corner.
Dubois batters Wardley in gruelling world title fight
Watch the highlights
BUY NOW: Watch Itauma vs. Hrgovic exclusively on DAZN PPV & Ultimate Tier
And unlike predecessors such as Angelo Dundee, Eddie Futch and Brendan Ingle, Davison is active as a coach in the online age. And it’s brutal out there.
The modern critic is an extraordinary blend of hindsight and clairvoyance. Before a fight – while chomping on a bag of Doritos - he confidently predicts disaster.
After the fight he explains why the result was obvious all along. This talent would be invaluable on somewhere like the stock market but appears to function exclusively after a main event or chief support has been halted on a Saturday night.
Indeed, one occasionally wonders why promoters bother paying trainers in the first place when the internet contains so many strategic masterminds willing to explain, free of charge, exactly what everyone did wrong.
The truth is Davison remains one of Britain’s brightest young coaches. But perception matters almost as much as results in this business.
A dominant Itauma win over Hrgovic restores the narrative. A shock defeat – hot on the heels of a string of painful nights involving his biggest heavyweights – will invite serious questions surrounding his credentials that won’t disappear as press row empties and the adrenaline subsides.
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, 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 31) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
