Moses Itauma was slapped by Filip Hrgovic at Friday’s weigh-in after the two world heavyweight champion contenders came to blows in London.
Experienced Croatian boxer Hrgovic (20-1, 15KOs) has fired multiple jibes in the direction of British southpaw sensation Itauma in the build-up to their clash at O2 Arena on Saturday night for the vacant IBF belt.
Itauma (14-0, 12KOs) has been repeatedly described as “delusional” and a “kid” by Hrgovic, but had remained composed until his cool persona cracked on Friday night and the 21-year-old pushed his rival off the stage at Spitalfields.
It was followed by a stern response from Hrgovic, who slapped Itauma before security got in between the two heavyweight rivals.
This flashpoint adds to the tension building before Saturday’s showdown where history can be made with Itauma able to become the youngest British boxer to be crowned world heavyweight champion and only the second youngest in the blue-riband division behind Mike Tyson.
Meanwhile, Hrgovic plans to become the first world heavyweight champion from Croatia and tipped the scales at 236.2lbs.
Even though Itauma will concede age, number of rounds and fights along with experience to Hrgovic, he will be heavier than his opponent after he weighed 241.7lbs in London on Friday.
