Filip Hrgovic has launched a scathing verbal assault on British heavyweight Moses Itauma, branding the unbeaten rising star 'delusional' and 'a kid' just days before their vacant IBF world title showdown at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
Both heavyweights will trade leather for the vacant IBF heavyweight belt, with Itauma aiming to become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. Tyson, known as 'Iron', set that record more than 40 years ago with a knockout victory over Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas at the age of 20. Itauma, now 21, has been tipped for greatness and already has the world at his feet.
Hrgovic's 'delusional' claim
Hrgovic, however, is in no mood to hold back, insisting his upcoming adversary does not know what he has signed up for. "I saw that kid. It's not offensive, I just saw that kid, that young man inside of him," he said.
"But we were all stupid when we were young. You just can't buy experience. I'm not talking only about boxing. I just saw that kid in his eyes, in his behaviour, in his attitude. We've all been like that. I think he's not aware of a lot of things. He's not been through a lot of things. He's just young."
Experience vs youth
The Croatian veteran has repeatedly referred to his foe as a 'kid' in the build-up, and is adamant that Itauma's inexperience will lead to his downfall on fight night, with millions watching worldwide.
"I just think he's a kid. He's unexperienced. He's just a young man. I think for him, it would be the best to lose this fight because it's going to ruin him, winning the world title. He's already in the clouds, above the ground. He's already delusional. And I think it can ruin someone who's not ready for that kind of fame, that kind of money."
"It can ruin your soul, it can make you lose yourself and we've seen a lot of superstars and famous people who have lost themselves. They just lost in that crazy world of fame and money. I think he's not ready for that. I think for him, it would be the best to lose this fight, to be honest with you, to save his soul."
Hrgovic's warning
Hrgovic added: "Because what does it mean to achieve everything if you lose your soul and you lose yourself? I think I'm in a much different position because of that experience, what I went through and the ups and downs in my life. I'm in a different position now. I think I'm like a rock. Stable. Nothing can move me. I don't care about fame. I don't care about money. I don't care about what people think. I think I'm in a different position, but we'll see on Saturday."
He concluded: "He's just delusional. When I see him, he's just a kid. Everything is going well. He didn't have any hard time. He went from youth level to professional. He had a few fights and became a star. Everyone is clapping him on his back - you're the best, you're the next Muhammad Ali. You're the new Mike Tyson. He's just not in reality. That's what I see when I see him. I'm very grateful for all the hard things that I went through. It makes you a different person. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm not the smartest guy in the world. I'm just most disciplined."
