Hrgovic sees something very different.
“I know the boxing world is writing me off in this fight. He’s like the new Mike Tyson, a young kid, a young destroyer. But I believe in myself,” Hrgovic told DAZN Boxing. “This is the biggest fight of my life, and it’s at the right moment. I’m just 34, with a lot of experience, a lot of energy, a lot of power, a lot of everything. So I’m happy with this fight, and I’ll beat him.”
The Croatian is not being dismissed because he lacks ability. His loss to Daniel Dubois changed the public perception. Hrgovic landed repeatedly during the early rounds, but his defense broke down as Dubois pushed the pace throughout an exhausting fight.
That defeat made Hrgovic look far more vulnerable than he did during his disputed victory over Zhang Zhilei.
The uncertainty surrounds Itauma. His quick knockouts have prevented anyone from learning how he responds when an opponent survives the opening attack.
Itauma rarely takes clean shots because he does not remain in the pocket when opponents press him. He retreats, creates space, and attempts to line them up for a fast, powerful counter.
The reaction is effective, but predictable.
Hrgovic should recognize that tendency. His extensive amateur background gave him plenty of experience against southpaws and mobile heavyweights using similar tactics.
Itauma’s approach is not complicated. His success comes from speed, power, youth, and his southpaw stance against lower-level opposition that has rarely survived long enough to test him.
The danger for Hrgovic is chasing Itauma directly onto the counter left hand. He must survive the early attack, recognize the retreat pattern, and make Itauma fight after the quick knockout is no longer available.
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