Boxing
Moses Itauma v Filip Hrgovic Predictions and Prize Money
Moses Itauma is William Hill News’ pick to take another major step towards the top of the heavyweight division when he faces Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday 29th.
The Prediction
The 21-year-old arrives as the clear favourite, unbeaten and widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the division. Victory over the experienced Hrgovic, would be the biggest win of his career to date.
Itauma’s speed and southpaw style has made him one of the most talked-about young heavyweights and the odds suggest he has a strong chance of continuing his rapid rise. However, at 34, the Croatian opposition has spent years competing at the highest level, and has the size, durability and experience to make this a far tougher and longer fight than odds suggest.
Our Prediction: Itauma to Win by KO, TKO or DQ– 1/3
William Hill ambassador Gareth A Davies said: “There are times in this fight where Moses Itauma is going to have to go through things he’s never experienced before in a boxing match under the lights and it’s for the IBF heavyweight crown. There’s extra pressure on him here as he can become the second youngest heavyweight champion in history after Mike Tyson.
“That said, I think Moses has the wherewithal, the acuity and the presence when he fights of being completely switched on and focused enough to outbox Filip Hrgovic. He has all the tools to win the early rounds, go through the difficulties and start to marinate Hrgovic.
“He might not beat him with a single punch knockout, but with a combination of clean shots. I think he’ll wear him down and I could see him stopping Hrgovic for the first time in seven, eight or nine rounds.”
A First Meeting
This will be the first time these fighters share a ring, and it comes at an important time for both.
For Itauma, victory would be another major statement and his biggest step in his career. The heavyweight division has been watching him closely and a convincing winning performance against Hrgovic would only increase expectations.
For Hrgovic, this is an opportunity to halt one of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects and put himself back in the conversation of the biggest fights in the division.
What To Expect?
Stylistically, this could be an intriguing contest. Itauma is likely to apply relentless early pressure, using his southpaw stance and fast combinations to prevent Hrgovic settling into the fight.
The odds reflect that approach, with Itauma heavily favoured across the outcome markets. Itauma to win by decision is priced at 4/1, compared with 12/1 for Hrgovic.
Hrgovic’s best chance may be to drag the fight into later rounds, testing whether the 21-year-old can maintain his intensity beyond the early stages. Hrgovic’s experience could prove valuable if he is able to disrupt the young fighter’s strategy.
However, Itauma’s explosiveness and power mean he will remain dangerous throughout. The betting suggests rounds four or five are the most likely points for the fight to end both priced at 7/1. A longer contest cannot be ruled out, though, with the eighth round at 9/1 and the nineth at 10/1.
Prize Money: What’s at Stake?
As is often the case in world-title boxing, the official purses for Itauma v Hrgovic have not been publicly disclosed.
What is clear, however, is the significance of the victory. With the vacant IBF heavyweight world title on the line, the winner will take a major step forward in the division, moving closer to bigger fights and greater exposure.
For Itauma, victory would be the biggest achievement of his career so far and could open the door to future title defences and some of the division’s biggest matchups. For Hrgovic, a win would provide a route back towards the top of the heavyweight picture and the headline fights that come with it.
Whatever happens at the O2 Arena, this will be a big night for both sides.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing
