Filip Hrgovic will have the support of his wife Marinela Caja when he takes on British heavyweight Moses Itauma for the vacant IBF world title at the O2 Arena in London.
The 34-year-old Croatian has earned another shot at the IBF belt after bouncing back from the only defeat of his career against Daniel Dubois, beating Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and David Allen. Itauma, 21, has defeated Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin to set up the biggest fight of his career so far.
Hrgovic's wife and family support
Marinela, 32, is a keen sportswoman who plays volleyball, though she keeps most of her personal life private, with her Instagram account accessible only to close friends. Hrgovic, however, has regularly celebrated their relationship on social media, posting a selfie from their wedding in June 2019 in their hometown of Sesvete.
He also took a short break from camp in May to spend time with Marinela and their young daughter at the Boutique Hotel Alhambra, sharing snaps with the caption: "Slowing down the clock for a bit & enjoying some family time before the next challenge begins."
Fight build-up and heated face-off
The pressure will be on Itauma, who is the firm favourite, but tensions escalated when the two clashed on stage during the face-off, with Hrgovic slapping Itauma in the face as he was shoved off the stage. Itauma is coached by Ben Davison, who previously worked with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Speaking on the eve of the fight, Itauma said: "I’ve always wanted to start off like Mike Tyson but don’t end up how Mike Tyson ended up. But now I’m in the shoes that Mike Tyson was, as in all the fame and accolades at such a young age, I’m starting to see and realise why he fell off the way he did. I just don’t want to make the same mistakes he made."
Hrgovic's warning to Itauma
Hrgovic dismissed Itauma's age, insisting the fight is coming too soon for the Chatham-born fighter and promising a boxing lesson. "I am just telling you facts. I am not playing any games. I just tell you what I think in the moment," he said. "Like I said, I am not so smart to play these mind games. I think he is a kid, he is not mature enough and I think I am the man. I am a much better age, much more experience and yeah, that is it."
He added: "No mind games. God willing you know I will beat him, I’ll smash the kid on Saturday and send him back to high school."
