Filip Hrgović, the first Croatian boxer to win the IBF heavyweight world title, spoke publicly again nearly a month after his fight with Moses Itauma. Hrgović defeated Itauma by technical knockout in the ninth round at London’s O2 Arena, and after the press conference and media interviews, he withdrew from the public eye.
He spent his break with his family, first in Spain and then in Dubrovnik. In a new interview for BoxNation, he said he is enjoying his free time and that it is an incredible feeling to be world champion. He said he has 20 years of hell, sacrifice, hard work, obstacles and problems behind him.
Hrgović emphasised that he defeated the most talented and fastest fighter in the division, a future superstar, and revealed that no one in his team was happy about the fight – not the manager, not the trainer, not the family. He said he had another offer for similar money and a much easier opponent, but personally called George Warren and arranged the match.
During fight week, he claims, he got inside Itauma’s head, especially because of the slap when he pushed him at the weigh-in. According to him, Itauma was nervous, unsure and wanted to end the fight as soon as possible.
Speaking about the continuation of his career, Hrgović noted that there are options for belt unification and an obligatory title defence, and that Turki Alalshikh told him he wants him to fight Rica Verhoeven. His ultimate goal is belt unification, and there is also an option for the title defence to take place in Croatia. He said he is physically and psychologically recovered, motivated and has clear goals.
The interview was also marked by a humorous moment about the number of sit-ups. A BoxNation journalist mentioned that Hrgović had done 4,000 sit-ups during the training camp, to which Hrgović replied: “What did you say? 4,000?” The journalist answered that he thought that was what he had said during the camp. “Are you f***ing mad or what?” Hrgović said, and when asked if there were more, he replied: “31,000.” The question followed whether it was a provocation, and the journalist said he would have to investigate better next time. Hrgović repeated: “31,000.” The journalist explained that the mistake occurred because the camp was at 4,000 feet above sea level, and Hrgović replied: “Don’t insult me, please…” The journalist concluded: “31,000. I’ll make sure it gets corrected.”
Hrgović was born in Sesvete, Zagreb, and is 34 years old, while Moses Itauma is 13 years younger than him.
