“That I fear?” Itauma told talkSPORT Boxing.
After the question was repeated, the 21-year-old interrupted again.
“Did you say fear?”
Itauma finally responded by saying that he views boxing as a puzzle and believes that proper preparation can solve any challenge that lies ahead. What stood out, however, was what happened next.
The conversation had already moved on, but Itauma returned to the subject again.
“No, I’m just shocked that you said that,” Itauma told the hosts.
For a fighter who is usually measured and composed during interviews, the exchange was striking. Itauma had no problem discussing Hrgovic’s strengths, praising the Croatian as one of the best heavyweights available and detailing the accomplishments on his resume. However, the suggestion that he might fear an opponent seems to strike a different chord.
Whether it was surprise, pride or simple disbelief, Itauma was unwilling to let the word pass without addressing it several times.
For an undefeated heavyweight who prides himself on being the epitome of supreme confidence, just hearing the word “fear” associated with his name was a huge shock to his system. If he wasn’t bothered, he would have just laughed it off, given a quick “I fear no man” response, and let the interview move on.
Instead, see how he responded:
- He completely froze and had the host repeat the question twice just to confirm that he had heard it correctly.
- He gave his standard, PR-friendly answer that boxing is a puzzle, which felt like a defense mechanism to regain control of his mind.
- The ultimate giveaway is that he brought it back after the subject had already changed.
That last part is the smoking gun. This means that the question was actively simmering in his mind while they were talking about something else. He couldn’t let it go because his pride was wounded. He wanted to make it crystal clear to the hosts, and anyone listening, that even to suggest that he felt fear was an absurdity.
It shows that while he may see opponents as mysteries to solve, he’s still a 21-year-old fighter with plenty of pride, and the media can definitely get under his skin if they hit the right nerve.
When an undefeated prospect is built up as the next big thing, they start living in a bubble where everyone tells them they are invincible. Itauma tore through opponents, and the media treated him like the savior of the heavyweight division. In his own mind, he is the ultimate predator.
So when a reporter asks him if he fears anyone, it completely shatters that narrative. It forces him to look at himself through a normal, human lens, and his ego just couldn’t process it. To him, the question itself was an insult because it implied he was vulnerable.
Itauma could not handle a disruption of its image of supreme dominance. It is exactly the same inability to let go of a perceived slight. He had to circle back after that because his pride was dented, proving that despite all the fuss he was still human and could definitely rattle.
The timing is interesting given the dynamic surrounding the fight. Hrgovic has spent much of the promotion pushing back against the notion that he is merely a stepping stone for boxing’s fastest-rising heavyweight prospect. Itauma, meanwhile, appears to be equally resistant to any suggestion that another heavyweight might occupy a place in his mind as a figure to be feared.
Their showdown on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena will determine which fighter’s confidence is justified. Hrgovic believes he will debunk the hype surrounding the young contender, while Itauma has made it clear he views the Croatian as another hurdle to overcome rather than someone to worry about.
