Boxing
What Hrgovic lessons could Moses learn from Dubois success?
Moses vs Hrgovic: Watch on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Moses Itauma will bid to become one of the youngest heavyweight champions in history when he takes to the ring on Saturday.
The Briton bids to seize the vacant IBF belt at London's The O2 Arena this weekend, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View and Ultimate.
Yet the man he must defeat represents another of the glamour division's most fearsome operators, in the shape of Filip Hrgovic.
The hard-hitting Croatian, a decorated amateur favourite-turned-durable professional, has stood toe-to-toe with plenty of rivals.
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Only one, however, has emerged successful, in the shape of fellow Queensberry fighter Daniel Dubois over two years ago now.
So just what lessons could Moses take from his fellow countryman - and will he actually need them? DAZN News investigates.Â
How did Dubois beat Hrgovic?
On a June 2024 card, Hrgovic arrived chasing a win that would earn him the vacant IBF interim title and a shot at Anthony Joshua.
The London 2012 favourite had already been earmarked for a shot at the full crown, with Oleksandr Usyk due to relinquish the belt.
Having spent two years waiting for his chance, Hrgovic came out of the traps in the first three rounds, and controlled the early flow.
But Dubois began to leave an imprint after a cut to the Croatian's brow left him bloodied, despite weathering a storm of blows too.
Hrgovic was left sapped on the back foot, and after another cut stymied him further, the fight was waved off following eight rounds.
What can Moses learn from Dubois?
The takeaways are an interesting lesson to learn for Moses, an avowed disciple of the form and a man sure to have seen the tapes.
Hrgovic's early intensity has long been an element of his game plan, exemplified in textbook fashion with his May win over Dave Allen.
Queensberry
Yet Dubois showed an impressive tenacity to weather his efforts, and helped to expound that energy over the opening exchanges.
Furthermore, the Briton repeatedly stood up close in the latter stages, ensuring that the flagging Hrgovic remained under pressure.
The cuts that led to the stoppage came from those tactics, in part - and they will offer a pathway to suggesting the Croatian has flaws.
Will Moses opt to take those paths?
Of course, there's more than one way to break down an opponent - and given what we know of Moses, it seems unlikely he will be shy.
The star wants a statement performance to meet this statement moment, and is unlikely to be cowed by Hrgovic making a fast start.
Indeed, it will be remarkable if Moses himself does not fly out of the traps seeking a massive first round to set the tempo at his own pace.
Across his career, the star has often started briskly, delivering those showreel knockouts and swift finishes to earn his crust time and again.
Hrgovic is a level above every test so far. But at least for his foe, the school of if-it-ain't-broke means he may not be fixing any new plan, too.
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.
