Three down, one to go: Moses and Hrgovic eye heavyweight history

It hasn't been the clearest path to the summit for either fighter, even if their win records made it seem like a relative formality.

Indeed, when the Briton spoke of reaching the top this year, it felt like any potential path was riddled with just too much debris.

Oleksandr Usyk's decision to vacate his three major straps changed the game though - and now, he is set to reap the rewards.

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As Moses and Hrgovic creep closer to destiny at London's The O2 Arena, DAZN News explores what this means for both men.

Why will Moses and Hrgovic fight for the IBF belt?

Originally made as an acid test bout for the former following his win over Jermaine Franklin, no belt was at stake for either man.

But with Usyk dropping his IBF strap - among others - both Moses and Hrgovic found themselves thrust into the limelight again.

Respectively third and fourth with the governing body, each man was ideally placed to be in the title conversation - with a catch.

Having defeated Richard Torrez Jr. in May, hard-hitting Cuban star Frank Sanchez was the frontrunner, ranked at number one.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

The IBF agreed too, and ordered him to face their next contender - Moses - for the vacant strap, despite the latter's commitments.

Questions were asked over whether promoters Queensberry and Frank Warren could switch tracks to give the Briton his shot.

Instead, they ultimately were able to persuade Sanchez to step aside with payment - and promise him a shot at the winner instead.

The end result means that Moses and Hrgovic will touch down in London with the weight of history - and a chance for immortality.

Who are the other heavyweight champions?

Moses and Hrgovic's bout will settle the final vacant strap left on the market by Usyk's decision to drop his crowns earlier this year.

Daniel Dubois was already WBO champion after dethroning Fabio Wardley in a brutal contest this past May - and so he remains.

But Usyk's departure left a power vacuum that some bodies moved to fill fast, with the WBA and WBC both anointing new faces.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

In the case of the former, they promoted "regular" champion Murat Gassiev to the full crown, which he defended against Peter Kadiru.

The latter meanwhile gave the keys to interim belt holder Agit Kabayel, who had been the mandatory challenger for Usyk's crowns.

The IBF, then, are the final body to secure their piece of the broader heavyweight puzzle - and it is to Moses and Hrgovic they have turned.

What does this bout mean for both men?

Simply put, this is an opportunity that both men had craved, but may not have expected to reap when they signed on the dotted line.

In Hrgovic's case, it is a chance to make amends for his IBF interim title loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024, the lone reverse of his pro career.

For Moses, it is the chance to emulate the legendary Mike Tyson and become one of the youngest heavyweight world champions in history.

When it comes down to brass tacks though, it is a place in the pantheon and each star's desire to reach it that will drive them on here.

Neither man is going to allow themselves to be distracted by the wider garlands and narratives that will inevitably fold themselves into the mix.

They will be laser-focused on getting the job done, and staking their place at the top of a division in the midst of a generational sea change.

For London, it was always going to be an entertaining August bank holiday weekend. Now, with double-or-nothing stakes, it's even better.

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 .