Frazer Clarke: Moses Itauma’s Speed Too Much For Hrgovic

“Just a phenomenon, honestly. So much respect for him. The way he conducts himself, the things he’s doing, really good fighter,” Clarke told Andrew McCart of iFL TV.

“A big test, they’re saying, against Hrgovic. I think he beats him well. I really do. The speed’s too much. Speed with the power, the ability, the mindset.”

Hand quickness may be the most interesting part of Clarke’s prediction. Hrgovic has dealt with strong heavyweights, but Itauma presents a different problem because of how quickly he can close distance and deliver his left hand.

Hrgovic cannot afford to spend long periods waiting for Itauma to initiate. If he gives the younger heavyweight room to attack first, he may find himself reacting to punches rather than establishing his own offense.

The Croatian does have something Itauma has yet to prove against this level of opposition: experience in difficult fights. Hrgovic went 12 rounds with Zhilei Zhang and Daniel Dubois before losing to Dubois in 2024.

That makes August 29 considerably different from Itauma’s previous bouts. He has looked destructive against fighters who gave him little resistance, but Hrgovic should force him to show more.

Clarke expects Itauma to pass that test convincingly. If he’s correct, Hrgovic may become the first opponent to demonstrate just how far the young heavyweight has already progressed.