Itauma vs Hrgovic: Can fast-tracked 21-year-old Briton make history on Saturday?

Boxing’s best young prospects tend to be handled carefully and are given time to learn before dangerous tests arrive.

Itauma, however, has been fast-tracked to his world-title shot.

Francis Warren – son of Queensberry chief Frank – first noticed him as a teenager, sparring established professionals. Former British heavyweight champion Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva was there even earlier.

“Moses was a big 11 or 12-year-old, around 75 to 80kg, (11st 11lb to 12st 8lb) and sparred an adult of the same weight,” TKV says. “He really showed up, put hands on this grown man, and I was shocked.

“The guy he sparred was around 25. Imagine going home and telling your wife you got beat up by a kid.”

Itauma’s progress has been marked by destructive stoppages over Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin. They may not be world-beaters, but the manner of those wins strengthened belief Itauma was destined for the top.

When Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF title and Frank Sanchez agreed to step aside, Itauma’s fight with Hrgovic was elevated into a world-title contest.

Suddenly, the fast track looked, to some, like a shortcut.

Hrgovic – even before the IBF belt was on the line – claimed Itauma had been handed “everything on a plate”. On social media, there was a similar feeling – perhaps a final eliminator would have been a more natural way to earn his shot.

Itauma, though, has little interest in proving himself to the doubters.

“It’s a lose-lose situation for me because if I win, I’ve done what people expect, and if I lose, it’s just like, I wasn’t as good as what I thought,” he says.

“I don’t find happiness in trying to please other people’s expectations.”