Filip Hrgovic told British heavyweight Moses Itauma he will “send him back to high school” when they fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
Unbeaten Itauma, 21, is aiming to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history – Mike Tyson remains the youngest.
Hrgovic, 34, has repeatedly called Itauma a “kid” in the build-up, prompting the Chatham heavyweight to admit the taunts were starting to wind him up.
But Itauma played down their impact at Thursday’s news conference. “At the end of the day, talk is cheap. It’s schoolboy banter,” he said.
An Olympic bronze medallist with an extensive amateur pedigree, Hrgovic’s only pro defeat came against Daniel Dubois in 2024.
He dismissed suggestions he was trying to play “mind games”.
“I just tell you what I think. I think he’s a kid, he’s not mature enough. I think I’m the man. I’m a much better age, much more experienced. That’s it,” he said.
