Boxing
Hrgovic wants Moses Itauma to fight, says coach Abel Sanchez
Published
8 months agoon
Trainer Abel Sanchez says Filip Hrgovic is interested in fighting heavyweight title challenger Moses Itauma. He claims that Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KO) will be on hiatus until the end of 2025, but he is still interested in fighting the teenage 20-year-old Itauma (13-0, 11 KO).
Cut above the eye
Hrgovic suffered a deep cut above his right eye during a lopsided 10-round unanimous decision victory over David Adeleye on Aug. 16 and will need time for the injury to heal.
Too many quick KOs, too little development
Sanchez says he’s not sure Queensberry-promoted Moses Itauma is like that “goods or not” at this stage of his career. He notes that he has scored many early first-round knockouts and believes it is not good for his “development”. He says Itauma will be tested sooner or later and it would be better if he gets rounds against good heavyweights sooner.
Itauma’s last nine fights
- KO in the first round: 6
- KO in the second second: 3
Knocking out his opponent quickly suggests that Itauma is not being matched with the right fighters as he should have been beefed up a long time ago. Although he is 20 years elderly, he looks closer to 28. In terms of appearance, Itauma seems closer to 30 than 21. He should have already been matched with other rivals. There is no real development when he knocks out fighters so quickly.
You can only see what Itauma looked like in his last competitive fight against Stylianos Roulias. During this competition, Moses seemed stressed by the way he was taken down by aggressive pressure fighter Roulias, who showed no fear of him and was simply focused on landing as strenuous as he could when he was cornered. The way Itauma moved and held himself showed that he was uncomfortable with an opponent who was fighting for a change.
Is Moses Itauma really “good”?
“Of course, we would consider it. He is a rising star and has to take a few steps to get to the championship level. Who knows if he is suitable or not. Filip would really benefit from a fight with him. I talked to him about it and he would love to fight him,” said coach Abel Sanchez. Boxing news about Filip Hrgovic’s interest in fighting Moses Itauma.
Interestingly, Moses was selected in the same way as his older brother, Karol Itaumhowever, it was fielded only against lower-tier fighters. Like Moses, Karol scored multiple quick first-round knockouts in his first nine fights.
Lessons from the fall of Charles Itauma
When Karol Itauma stood in front of a solid journeyman, Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna, who was able to absorb his punch, was knocked out in the fifth round on January 28, 2023. It was the same identical matchmaking that had been done for Moses, and Charles looked like gold until he was thrown against a halfway decent fighter.
I’d rather he go three rounds than knock someone out in the first because of this really doesn’t say anything about his development.” Sanchez said of Itauma. “It will be tested in the future and it would be nice to see it tested along the way.”
Actual test: Frank Sanchez
The ideal opponent for Itauma to gain some experience would be Frank Sanchez, as this is a fight he could have in an IBF title eliminator to determine the mandatory for undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Itauma says Sanchez was not one of the names suggested to him. He doesn’t say why he didn’t insist on fighting him, as that would be the logical fight he would take if he wanted to improve himself further. Itauma doesn’t get much out of shooting these fighters:
- Dillian Whyte: 37
- Mariusz Wach: 45
- Mike Balogun: 41
- Dan Garber: 40
Olly Campbell has been covering boxing since 2010 and writing for Boxing News 24 since 2014. He has been based in the UK and currently covers the world boxing scene, providing fight news, results and features that allow fans to hear the biggest stories in the sport.
With a background in reporting from the UK and Europe, Olly has developed a style that combines edged analysis with accessible writing, making his work valuable to dedicated followers and casual fans alike. His reports consistently highlight champions, challengers and emerging prospects on the global stage.
Last update: 10/10/2025
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Boxing
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Published
54 minutes agoon
June 13, 2026
Roy Jones Jr has announced his price and is demanding an eight-figure purse if he is to make it through the ropes.
At his peak, the American became one of the best players to ever grace the sport, and his breathtaking speed and overall physical prowess made him seem almost unbeatable.
After winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and airy heavyweight, Jones even moved up to heavyweight and dethroned John Ruiz to win the WBA belt in 2003.
The pound-for-pound legend retired in 2018, when many thought his best days were behind him, only to take it to the next level exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020
Although it was a non-contest, many believed that Tyson outplayed Jones, who then returned professionally against Anthony Pettis and lost an eight-round decision to the former UFC champion in 2023.
Since then, the 57-year-old has remained on the safer side of the competition, but is now eyeing another comeback, this time against Misfits boxer Tommy Fury.
Having delved into the power side of the sport following previous professional victories over Jake Paul and KSI, Fury is now preparing to face former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.
I’m talking to Betting showroomJones said he would only be willing to challenge the 27-year-old if he was handsomely rewarded for his troubles.
“Is me vs. Tommy Fury dead? Nothing is dead forever. Roy Jones is still alive. Tommy Fury is still alive. Who knows? For the right money, it would make me go to the gym to get ready.”
“If they give me $10 million of course. Ten and more, yes. If they don’t give me $10 million and more, then no, I’m not wasting my time.”
Fury’s six-round exhibition match with Hall will take place later today at the Manchester Arena, although the result will not affect his professional record of 11-0 (4 KO).
“There are a confined number of fights and he can’t fight every fighter. So why don’t you consider that [Iglesias and Sheeraz] think about who wants to be at the front of the line,” Kellerman said on InsideRingShow.
Kellerman rejected the idea that Canelo was firing any of the fighters.
“He’s not saying he’s ignoring Sheeraz and Iglesias. In fact, he just gave them a path. He said, ‘I’m fighting Mbilli.’ You are fighting each other. This is not a duck. This is about business,” Kellerman said.
Sheeraz has already made it clear that he has no interest in following the route proposed by Canelo. Responding to a suggestion from an earlier interview, the British fighter said he respected Alvarez but would not allow another boxer to dictate his career decisions.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could answer many of the remaining questions about both men.
Canelo is preparing to fight Mbilli, a fighter widely viewed as one of the most threatening fighters in the division due to his constant pressure and furious attacks. Meanwhile, Sheeraz has had two fights since moving up to 168 pounds, a fight against Edgar Berlanga, who he stopped in July 2025 after Canelo had already beaten him a year earlier, and 39-year-old Al Begic for the vacant WBO title.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could eliminate many of the questions that still haunt both men. Sheeraz would have the opportunity to silence critics who believe his super middleweight resume is slim, while Iglesias could reaffirm a growing reputation that has led some fans to consider him the division’s boogeyman.
The winner would pose a bigger and more marketable challenge. Instead of facing Sheeraz immediately after his victory over Begic, Alvarez could face an opponent who had a decisive victory over another world champion, adding more significance to what could be one of the final marquee fights of his career.
Max Kellerman reacts to Canelo Álvarez’s comments about Hamzah Sheeraz and Osleys Iglesias 👀#InsideTheRing | The latest episode LIVE NOW on YouTube The Ring 📺 pic.twitter.com/tfOhDtjgit
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) June 12, 2026
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Boxing
Errol Spence Jr puts himself in line for an All-American main event if he wins his comeback against Tszyu
Published
5 hours agoon
June 13, 2026
Errol Spence Jr gained additional motivation to defeat Tim Tszyu, knowing that the winner of the upcoming fight could face a potentially more lucrative opportunity.
The two former world champions will face each other on July 25 in Australia, with Tszyu having the home advantage and looking to rejoin the world stage.
To do this, the 31-year-old must defeat a credible opponent and prove that despite losing three of his last six fights, he remains one of the top super welterweight fighters in the world.
Ideally, he would have fought Spence at 154 pounds, but given his opponent’s three-year layoff, Tszyu ultimately agreed to fight at the catchweight of 158 pounds.
Before the long break, Spence lost the WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight titles to Terence Crawford, who defeated his rival with a surprisingly one-sided ninth-round stoppage.
However, even before his loss to “Bud,” many believed that “The Truth” would be better suited to the 154-pound division, where he plans to make his mark after his triumph over Tszyu.
If such a plan comes to fruition, Spence could enter into a national feud with Jermell Charlo, who has not fought since unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023
According to Mike Coppinger of Ring MagazineCharlo could very well face Tszyu if the Australian wins the fight against Spence.
“I was told he would be lined up to win [Spence-Tszyu]. Of course, nothing has been done yet. I’m told that behind the scenes, Charlo is being lined up for this fight, which will take place at 154 pounds.[lbs]”
Before the 168-pound fight with Canelo, Charlo became the undisputed super welterweight champion by dethroning Brian Castano by a 10th-round stoppage in 2022, less than a year after his controversial boxing draw.
The 36-year-old achieved this ambition by training under Derrick James, who is also Spence’s former head coach.
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Hamzah Sheeraz should fight Osleys Iglesias first
Errol Spence Jr puts himself in line for an All-American main event if he wins his comeback against Tszyu
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