Hrgovic questioned why so many fans are predicting a one-sided victory for the unbeaten British prospect.
“People saying Moses can win? People saying Moses will destroy me, man,” Hrgovic told Queensberry Promotions, about the 21-year-old Itauma.
“Because it’s called a hype job. They hype him so much. He had a few knockouts, but the whole world is talking about him,” Hrgovic said.
“If he is from Bulgaria, nobody will talk about him.”
Hrgovic acknowledged Itauma’s talent, pointing to his speed, southpaw stance and explosiveness, but suggested much of the attention stems from Britain’s ability to market young fighters.
“You guys are the best in the business, the biggest boxing crowd in the world, and you know how to sell product,” Hrgovic said.
“People like to have heroes. So you always have to have some sort of hero, and people look at him as a new big heavyweight, like a new Mike Tyson, like a new hero.”
“My job is to stop it.”
The 34-year-old has also dismissed suggestions he is nearing the end of his career, insisting he remains in his physical prime despite spending two decades in the sport.
“I’m still going up. I still haven’t started going down,” Hrgovic said.
“I’m 34 now. I’m not young. I’m not old for heavyweight either. So I think I’m in prime age, experience, and still speed and power.”
While Itauma has quickly emerged as one of boxing’s most talked-about heavyweight prospects, Hrgovic will represent a significant step up in opposition. The former IBF mandatory challenger owns victories over contenders such as Zhilei Zhang, Demsey McKean and Joe Joyce, and has shared the ring with elite-level heavyweights throughout his career.
The winner of the August 29 contest is expected to move into position for a big fight in the heavyweight division, with Itauma looking to cement his status as a future world title challenger and Hrgovic seeking to stem the momentum behind one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars.
