Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic set for IBF heavyweight title

A high-stakes heavyweight title fight has been finalized for London later this month. Moses Itauma of Britain will face Croatia's Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF world heavyweight championship at The O2 Arena on August 29.

The bout's status was elevated after promoter Frank Warren confirmed the IBF belt, one of four major world titles, would be on the line. The title became available after the former unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk, vacated his belts earlier this summer. The other titles are now held by Agit Kabayel (WBC), Murat Gassiev (WBA), and Daniel Dubois (WBO).

Itauma, a 21-year-old prodigy with 14 professional wins including 12 knockouts, was originally ordered by the IBF to negotiate a final eliminator with Cuban contender Frank Sanchez for a shot at the vacant title. However, a financial arrangement was reached for Sanchez to step aside, allowing the Itauma-Hrgovic fight to proceed directly for the championship. Sanchez is guaranteed a future title shot against the winner.

Warren expressed strong confidence in his fighter, whom he signed as a 16-year-old amateur. "A lot of people have high expectations of him as I have, by the way," Warren said. "He's been amazing and...