Dave Allen presented a up-to-date Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic match prediction, this time expressing his belief that the fight will end twice as speedy.

The two heavyweights will face off on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena, with many expecting Itauma to face the toughest task of his career to date.

While the 21-year-old has yet to prove himself at a world-class level, he has shown signs of real, world-class potential looked particularly impressive against Jermaine Franklin, who scored a devastating fifth-inning score in March.

However, Hrgovic is believed to be much more experienced and talented than Franklin, who is known more for his durability than anything else.

Not only is Hrgovic a long-term customer, but the Olympic bronze medalist has no shortage of amateur pedigree and professional experience.

The Croatian’s only professional defeat came against Daniel Dubois in June 2024, when he tried strenuous but was ultimately stopped in the eighth round.

Since then, he has scored over Joe Joyce and David Adeleye, most recently suffering a three-round loss to veteran heavyweight Allen last month.

Taking to social mediaAllen insisted Hrgovic is the “real deal” but believes Itauma will make a powerful statement.

“I think it’s an amazing fight – you have a proven world-class fighter against probably a guy who will be ‘the man’ for the next 15 years.

“Hrgovic is good – he really is. He’s really good. But I think Itauma [is] too speedy for him. Maybe too speedy and too fresh. I think Itauma will win early.”

While Hrgovic is widely considered a top-10 heavyweight, it can be argued that Itauma is more talented and almost certainly has a higher ceiling than his 34-year-old opponent.

Oscar De La Hoya criticized Zuffa Boxing on Saturday while discussing a potential September 12 fight between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.

“The problem I have with Zuffa is that everything they touch, whenever they get involved in it, it’s always a large damn problem,” De La Hoya said during DAZN’s Golden Boy on Saturday night.

“Ryan Garcia has a promotional contract with Golden Boy and Ryan fights on DAZN. Zuffa Boxing, all they do is interfere and make things tough. The bottom line is Ryan Garcia wants to fight on September 12, but he will fight on DAZN.”

Garcia and Benn have been linked to the September 12 fight. Previous reports indicated that the event may be promoted by Zuffa Boxing and distributed on Paramount+.

“If the opponent is Conor Benn, so be it, but we all have to work together to make the fight happen,” De La Hoya said. “There are promoters for a reason, there are contracts for a reason, but when Zuffa gets involved there is always a large problem.”

Golden Boy recently issued a cease and desist letter to Zuffa Boxing in connection with its promotion of Garcia.

Ryan won the WBC welterweight title with a victory over Mario Barrios on February 21. Benn’s last fight was on April 11, defeating Regis Prograis in London.

Garcia remains under contract with Golden Boy. De La Hoya reiterated Saturday that any future fight involving Garcia must be coordinated by the company and broadcast on DAZN.

Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.

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Last updated: 21/06/2026 at 2:00

Conor Benn continues to demand his must-see shot against WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia, and former three-division world champion Shane Mosley has offered his predictions for the fight.

Following Garcia’s victory over Mario Barrios in February to capture the belt, the WBC confirmed that Benn is the mandatory challenger, even though the Briton has not fought at that weight since 2022.

Although the champion said the fight is booked for September 12 in Las Vegas, later taking legal action by his promoter Golden Boy to block any discussion that doesn’t go through has complicated plans.

If this fight does happen, there is no doubt that it will be an action-packed fight Boxing in Mill CityMosley predicted a victory for Garcia after the break, believing the Californian was “too quick and too robust” for the British challenger.

“I like this fight, I think Ryan beats him because he’s too quick and too robust for Conor Benn, but considering the publicity in terms of ticket sales [it’s a good fight]. I think Ryan will be the winner of this fight.”

“He can stop it with his right hand, left hook, or left hook, right hand – or both.”

Mosley then said that Benn had not learned or improved in recent fights and that Garcia’s excellent amateur pedigree, having won 15 national championships before turning pro, would shine on fight night.

“I think he is [Benn] he has elite power and comes to kill. So he’s elite, but he didn’t have it [amateur] origin like Ryan. He just comes with brute power and strength and his mentality is like that [to be a] killer. Sometimes you need something more, and for all this you need boxing skills.

“I think in terms of skills, the ability to move backwards and forwards and just other basics that I don’t think he’s learned yet. He just jumped in there and started fighting.”