Moses Itauma is set to contest the vacant IBF heavyweight championship when he steps into the ring with Croatia's Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on August 29. The bout comes on the heels of former champion Oleksandr Usyk’s decision last month to relinquish his WBC, WBA and IBF belts, opening the door for a new holder of the IBF crown.
With the British prospect unbeaten and hungry for glory, the fight offers him a chance to claim the belt that Usyk has vacated. The stakes are further heightened by the involvement of IBF’s mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez. Sanchez, who earned the No. 1 contender spot after delivering a spectacular second‑round knockout of Richard Torrez Jr.
in May, has already secured a guaranteed title shot against whichever boxer emerges victorious from the Itauma‑Hrgovic showdown. In other words, the winner of the August 29 contest will have to face Sanchez in a mandatory defense, ensuring that the new champion will be tested immediately. Itauma’s rise to this point has been nothing short of meteoric. In just 14 professional fights he has amassed 14 wins, 12 of them by knockout, demonstrating a blend of power and aggression that has drawn attention from promoters and fans alike.
His most recent performance saw him dispatch Jermaine Franklin in Manchester with a decisive stoppage, reinforcing his reputation as a relentless finisher. At only 21 years old, however, the British heavyweight is about to encounter a significant step up in competition.
Filip Hrgovic, the 28‑year‑old Croatian, brings a different résumé to the fight. He has previously defeated notable opponents such as Zhilei Zhang and former world‑title challenger Joe Joyce, showcasing his ability to handle top‑tier opposition. Hrgovic’s lone professional loss came at the hands of Daniel Dubois, who stopped him in 2024, but that setback has not diminished his standing as a formidable contender in the division.
Both fighters have expressed confidence ahead of the bout. Hrgovic’s camp emphasizes his experience against elite heavyweights, while Itauma’s team highlights his youthful vigor and knockout power. The clash promises a classic matchup of raw power versus seasoned skill, and the outcome will determine who claims the vacant IBF title and subsequently faces mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.
Sanchez’s manager, Mike Borao, explained the logistics behind the mandatory fight clause. He noted that Sanchez agreed to allow the Itauma‑Hrgovic fight to proceed on the condition that he would automatically face the winner, with no intervening bouts, as stipulated by his mandatory status.
"Frank didn’t want to wait until the end of the year to prepare properly, so the timeline works perfectly for him," Borao said, adding that the arrangement is financially lucrative for Sanchez and maintains his position as the IBF’s top contender. Negotiations for the mandatory fight were reportedly smooth, despite occasional concerns that the deal might fall through. Borao praised promoter George Warren for his deep understanding of the heavyweight landscape and described him as a gentleman who makes the process pleasant for all parties. The final agreement, according to Borao, benefits the fighters, the promoters, the IBF, and the fans, ensuring a clear path forward for the new champion.
Looking ahead, Sanchez is eager to test himself against either Itauma or Hrgovic, stating he would be content to fight either opponent and is confident he could claim the heavyweight crown by the end of the year, targeting December for his own title bid. The IBF belt is currently the only major heavyweight title left without an incumbent, as Agit Kabayel has been elevated to WBC champion and Murat Gassiev now holds the WBA version.
This adds further intrigue to the August 29 event, as the victor will become the sole recognized IBF heavyweight champion. Fans can also look forward to other notable fights on the boxing calendar. In Dublin, Aaron McKenna will square off against Etinosa Oliha for the IBF world middleweight title, a bout scheduled for Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Viewers have the option to watch via a Sky Sports subscription or through contract‑free streaming services that offer boxing coverage. Overall, the upcoming showdown between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic represents a pivotal moment in the heavyweight division. It not only determines the new holder of the vacant IBF title but also sets the stage for an immediate mandatory defense against a rising contender in Frank Sanchez. With both fighters bringing distinct strengths and aspirations, the fight promises high drama, intense competition, and the potential to reshape the heavyweight landscape for the remainder of 2026 and beyond.