Moses Itauma has brushed off Filip Hrgovic's pre-fight trash talk, labelling the Croatian's taunts as "schoolboy banter" ahead of their vacant IBF heavyweight title showdown at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
The 21-year-old Brit is aiming to become the second youngest heavyweight world champion of all time with a victory, but Hrgovic has spent fight week trying to get under his skin. The 34-year-old has claimed a win for Itauma would be "terrible for his soul" and has called his opponent "delusional."
Itauma unfazed by Hrgovic's mind games
Speaking to reporters, including Mirror Fighting, on Tuesday evening, Itauma admitted the antics were starting to get on his nerves. The two fighters came face-to-face on Thursday afternoon for a pre-fight press conference in London, where Hrgovic attempted to spark a reaction from the Chatham scrapper.
But Itauma refused to engage with the theatrics. When asked if his rival had rattled him, the 21-year-old replied: "Nah man. At the end of the day talk is cheap. He has just got schoolboy banter and that's it. You've got to keep rolling."
Hrgovic vows to send Itauma back to school
Olympic medalist Hrgovic hit back by vowing to send Itauma back to school, stating: "I am just telling you facts. I am not playing any games. I just tell you what I think in the moment. 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. 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."
He added: "He has said he wants some props but I have come here to London, on his territory, this kid everyone is avoiding. I have come here for a fight and – against all the odds – I believe in myself. I am fighting the guy they call 'The next Mike Tyson.' So give me some props, I am going to smash the kid."
Itauma focused solely on Hrgovic
Despite the talk of making history, Itauma has put such remarks aside, unbothered by the accolades and focused only on becoming the second man to topple Hrgovic. "I want to first address that I am not trying to become the second youngest heavyweight champion of the world, I am trying to beat Filip Hrgovic," he explained.
"Second of all, this fight is what I wanted. I asked Queensberry for so long. I think it is a style match-up I reckon I can thrive on, the pressure I can thrive on and it is just waiting to fight. Obviously the world title is an achievement and an accolade. And that is a plus one, but my sole focus is Hrgovic.
"If I ain't going to beat Hrgovic, it doesn't matter about the world title and it doesn't matter about the noise or nothing. My job is to be victorious on fight night. I am ready to rock and roll."
