LONDON — Moses Itauma will fight Filip Hrgovic on August 29, 2026, at the O2 Arena in London. The bout pits Itauma, ranked first in the WBO heavyweight rankings, against Hrgovic, who is ranked second.

Frank Warren, a promoter for Queensberry, said, "This fight is the litmus test Moses is ready for and it is the one he wanted." Warren also relayed, "Filip believes it will be too much too soon for the young star." Itauma, 21, holds a professional record of 14 wins and 0 losses with 12 knockouts. The southpaw stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and defeated Jermaine Franklin Jr. by knockout in March 2026.

Hrgovic, 34, is from Croatia and defeated Dave Allen by third-round stoppage in May 2026. He has a professional record of 21 wins and 1 loss with 15 knockouts. His only professional loss was to Daniel Dubois in 2024. Hrgovic won a bronze medal in boxing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and defeated Joe Joyce.

Hrgovic commented on Itauma's career path, stating, "He was given everything on the plate when I compare his path with my path and other guys who are coming from small countries." Hrgovic added, "I think my path was much harder, much, much harder," and said, "I think everything he achieved was given." Itauma responded, "Whether he thinks my path has been easy or not, it won't do him any favours." He noted, "He's almost 14 years older than me and we're still in the same position." Itauma also stated, "At the end of the day the position I'm in wasn't given to me." Daniel Dubois, who defeated Fabio Wardley in May 2026 for the WBO belt, currently holds the title. Itauma turned professional in 2023, winning his debut by knockout in 23 seconds. His two non-stoppage wins were six-round bouts in 2023. Itauma's father is Nigerian, and his mother is from Slovakia. He was born in Slovakia and moved to Chatham in Kent, England, when he was young.