The heavyweight bout between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic set for 29 August at London's O2 Arena will be for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title [1, 2, 3]. The IBF belt was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk in June 2026 [1, 2, 3].
Itauma, a 21-year-old British boxer, enters the fight unbeaten with 14 wins and 12 knockouts, including a recent first-round stoppage of Dillian Whyte in August 2025 and a fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin in March 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Hrgovic, 34, is a Croatian 2016 Olympic bronze medallist with a professional record of 20 wins and one loss. He stopped British boxer Dave Allen in the third round in May 2026 [1, 2, 3].
Promoter Frank Warren said top-ranked contender Frank Sanchez, a Cuban boxer, agreed to step aside and receive compensation to allow the fight to be for the title. Warren said, "We paid (Sanchez) some money. We said whoever wins the fight, you're not losing out and you'll get the opportunity to fight for the title against the winner" [2]. Warren expressed confidence in Itauma, saying, "A lot of people have high expectations of him as I have, by the way. This is a big moment for him. But I'm confident he can do it" [1].
Should Itauma prevail over Hrgovic and then defeat Sanchez, he could face Daniel Dubois or Fabio Wardley in an all-British double world title fight in 2027 at Wembley Stadium [1, 2, 3]. Dubois defeated Wardley in May 2026 to become a two-time heavyweight world champion and a rematch is scheduled for October 2026 [1, 2, 3].
Warren noted the excitement around the matchup, calling Itauma and Hrgovic "big punchers" who do not engage in boring fights [1]. Russian Murat Gassiev holds the WBA heavyweight title, while Germany's Agit Kabayel holds the WBC belt [1, 2, 3].
The Itauma vs Hrgovic IBF heavyweight title fight will take place on 29 August 2026 at London's O2 Arena [1, 2, 3].
