Connect with us

Boxing

Eddie Hearn Identifies Old Heavyweight Set to Challenge Moses Itauma More Than Filip Hrgovic

Published

on

Eddie Hearn Identifies 'Old' Heavyweight Set to Challenge Moses Itauma More Than Filip Hrgovic

Eddie Hearn believes Moses Itauma’s true introduction to world level will not come against Filip Hrgovic, but rather a savvy veteran who has recently restored his ‘bogeyman’ reputation.

Most would agree, however, that Hrgovic represents the 21-year-old’s toughest opponent thus far, with the Croatian’s only defeat arriving against Daniel Dubois in 2024.

Back then, ‘El Animal’ gave a commendable effort – and had arguably built a slight lead – but was ultimately stopped on cuts in round eight of their encounter.

Many would therefore consider him a top 10 heavyweight, yet Hrgovic has nonetheless been made a sizable underdog against the promising and unbeaten Itauma.

If he defeats the 34-year-old at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow evening, Itauma will become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson dethroned Trevor Berbick in 1986.

By claiming the vacant IBF title, though, Itauma would then be ordered to face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who comes off a second-round finish over Richard Torrez Jr in May.

‘The Cuban Flash’ also unanimously outpointed Efe Ajagba in 2021, with his only defeat coming via a seventh-round knockout against Agit Kabayel in 2024.

But even so, Matchroom promoter Hearn has told DAZN that, stylistically, Sanchez could present Itauma with a greater challenge than Hrgovic.

“The [opponent] that’s actually a bit more difficult for Moses, that he will have to fight, is Frank Sanchez. He’s old [34]but it’s the style – his reflexes, although he’s old, are still [pronounced].

“He wilted against Kabayel. I think he had a bad knee but, when it’s on top, Sanchez [doesn’t respond well]. But, early on, he’s sharp.”

With Kabayel having since become the WBC world champion, Sanchez’ sole defeat does not appear quite so severe.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Jake Pauls Joshua Loss Disrupts His Future Fight Aspirations

Published

on

"Jake Paul's Joshua Loss Disrupts His Future Fight Aspirations"

Jake Paul wants Canelo AlvarezRyan Garciaand Deontay Wilder, but his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua makes those ambitions harder to sell. Calling out bigger names keeps him in the conversation. Getting them into the ring could require Jake to rebuild with some wins first.

“Before I rest…” Paul wrote on Xlisting potential opponents before tagging Nakisa Bidarian with the instruction: “Make it happen.”

His targets also include Francis Ngannou, Conor McGregor, Sean Strickland, Darren Till, KSI, Chris Eubank, Edgar Berlanga and Tom Aspinall. Jake specifies boxing for Aspinall, boxing and MMA for McGregor, and MMA for Nate Diaz. He adds “World Title” without naming a division or belt.

The Joshua defeat hangs over that entire pitch. Jake can still offer opponents publicity and a commercially attractive event, but another major boxing matchup would invite questions about whether viewers are buying a competitive fight or another knockout.

That could make the bigger names harder to secure. They would have to see enough value in facing Jake to accept the criticism that comes with fighting someone Joshua already stopped. A social media callout gives them little reason to commit.

Jake needs some distance from that loss, and victories would do more for him than another ambitious list. A run of wins could help rebuild interest in what he can accomplish inside the ring. The quality of those opponents would also count. Beating fighters who offer little resistance would leave the same questions waiting when he calls for Canelo or Wilder again.

There is also a difference between selling a comeback and selling a world-title challenge. Jake’s post provides plenty of names for crossover events, but no explanation of how he intends to earn a shot at a belt.

His promotional hustle has kept him visible. After the Joshua knockout, visibility alone may be insufficient to persuade the opponents he wants—or the audience—to buy the next big boxing pitch.

Bidarian has a list to work through. Jake needs to give him a stronger selling point by winning again.

Share this article

About the author

Boxing 24/7 Wire

Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Irail Madrimov vs. Seymur Isayev: Scheduled Return on October 30

Published

on

"Irail Madrimov vs. Seymur Isayev: Scheduled Return on October 30"

Israil Madrimov gets back to work on October 30 at Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, taking on Seymur Isayev after another lengthy stretch of inactivity. The Uzbekistan Professional Boxing Federation confirmed the booking, per Sports.kz.

This marks just the second ring appearance for the former WBA junior middleweight champion since dropping tough decision losses to Terence Crawford then Vergil Ortiz Jr. Madrimov took care of business against Luis David Salazar back in January. Still, sitting out for nine months right after that win stalled his momentum toward the division belt holders.

Isayev brings a southpaw stance from Azerbaijan into the biggest test of his career. He rides a string of knockout victories, but stepping into Tashkent against an elite operator like Madrimov represents an entirely different level of competition.

Madrimov gets a prime opportunity to showcase his skills in front of his hometown supporters. Whether that victory actually pushes him toward the top contenders at 154 pounds really hinges on his performance plus how fast his team lines up the next assignment.

Madrimov secured world championship status by halting Magomed Kurbanov in 2024. Crawford took the belt later that summer, with the Ortiz defeat arriving in February 2025. Those setbacks came against the absolute best fighters in boxing, so they never completely booted him from title relevance.

Health troubles also disrupted his schedule. He struggled with bronchitis that spiraled into pneumonia around the Ortiz bout, followed by surgeries on his shoulder along with his knee. That ordeal kept him out of action for roughly eleven months before he defeated Salazar.

Nobody has officially explained the reason for the latest delay. We have a confirmed fight date now, though nothing points to another physical setback.

Madrimov wants to turn his earlier victory into real traction. Putting on a clinic against Isayev will help, but another long vacation right afterward keeps him running in place. He needs this hometown showcase to serve as a launchpad. Madrimov is 31 years old with only 14 professional bouts under his belt, so running a once-a-year schedule is boxing suicide for a guy trying to claw back into championship contention.

At 154 pounds, the division moves too fast to sit on the shelf for eight or nine months between tune-ups. When an ex-champion drops back-to-back decision losses to the very top tier, taking almost a year off just to beat Luis David Salazar, and then disappearing for another nine months before fighting an unproven Seymur Isayev, all momentum disappears.

A four-fight schedule would force mandatory activity, keep him sharp, and put him in front of the sanctioning bodies every three months. Even if two of those dates are quick stay-busy showcases against guys he can blast out early, it builds the fight frequency he desperately lacks. Right now, by the time he gets through two prolonged training camps and unexplained layoffs, another year has evaporated, and the younger contenders pass him by.

If he does not start fighting every three to four months, his physical prime will be completely gone before he ever touches another major purse or world title shot.

Share this article

About the author

Boxing News 24 Desk

BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Tim Bradley Urges Caution in Floyd Mayweather vs Ryan Garcia Comeback Fight: Better Stop Playing

Published

on

Tim Bradley Urges Caution in Floyd Mayweather vs Ryan Garcia Comeback Fight: "Better Stop Playing"

Ryan Garcia is reportedly in talks for a surprise showdown with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, and two-division world champion Tim Bradley has offered his thoughts on that potential match-up.

Mayweather retired back in 2017 after securing the 50th win of his undefeated professional career in a lucrative clash against Conor McGregor, but ‘TBE’ has been linked to a comeback and rematch against Manny Pacquiao throughout 2026.

Pacquiao is now possibly featuring on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card in December, so Mayweather has now been linked to a shock clash with Garcia – where a win could see him break Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest world champion in history.

Speaking on his YouTube channelBradley reacted to the news, telling Mayweather that he should focus on fighting Pacquiao and ‘leave the younger guys alone’.

“Floyd is damn near 50 years old and he is returning into the ring against freaking Ryan Garcia, man? You better get the hell out of here with that, man. Y’all better stop playing with me.

“Mayweather’s a** is so scared of damn Manny Pacquiao, who is 47 years old, and you going to fight against Ryan Garcia? A damn 20-something year old? Sit your old ass down, man. Your time has come, your time has been done.

“You better get in there with Manny Pacquiao, stealing that damn money the way you did. Yeah, get your a** in there with Manny Pacquiao and leave these young’uns alone.

“I hope this ain’t true, man, for real. This s**t right here has ruined my night, I am not going to lie.”

It remains to be seen how negotiations will develop in the coming days and weeks, but a clash between Garcia and Mayweather could buy Teofimo Lopez some time to fulfil his WBA mandatory and face Jack Catterallin the hopes of teeing up a unification bout against Garcia for 2027.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending