Having shared the ring with some of the most dangerous and formidable heavyweights of the modern era, IBF champion Filip Hrgovic is uniquely positioned to evaluate the elite tier of the division. The Croatian contender, who has tested his mettle against the likes of Zhilei Zhang, David Adeleye, Daniel Dubois, and Moses Itauma, has now offered a fascinating assessment of his toughest opponents. Despite absorbing the concussive power of boxing’s heaviest hitters, Hrgovic has singled out Moses Itauma as arguably the best overall fighter he has ever faced, pointing to the youngster’s elite boxing intelligence, timing, and hand speed as unique challenges inside the squared circle.
Hrgovic’s journey to the upper echelons of the heavyweight division has been defined by high-stakes battles and dramatic shifts in momentum. The Croatian claimed his status and world heavyweight championship aspirations in a high-profile showdown, pulling off a sizable upset by stopping Itauma in nine rounds. The bout was a dramatic affair that tested Hrgovic’s resilience and experience. Despite suffering an early knockdown and, for the majority of the early rounds, getting thoroughly outclassed by the faster, more technically fluid younger opponent, Hrgovic managed to weather the storm. Relying on his championship grit, he eventually outlasted his less experienced adversary in spectacular fashion, turning the tide in the championship rounds to secure a memorable victory.
The narrative surrounding Hrgovic’s career, however, is equally intertwined with his 2024 encounter against British powerhouse Daniel Dubois. In that clash, billed as "El Animal," Hrgovic was involved in a far more competitive and tactical contest. By many official and unofficial ringside estimations, Hrgovic had successfully built a slight lead through the middle frames, showcasing his technical jab and seasoned ring generalship against a surging Dubois. That competitive momentum was abruptly halted in the eighth round. After sustaining worsening cuts over both eyes, the ringside doctor and referee deemed it unsafe for Hrgovic to continue, handing Dubois a technical knockout victory in a brutal and taxing war of attrition.
The fallout from that 2024 encounter significantly altered the landscape of the heavyweight division. Dubois capitalized on his victory over Hrgovic by going on to score a stunning fifth-round knockout finish over Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium, establishing himself as a dominant force. Although Dubois subsequently lost his IBF world title via a similar fifth-round result against unified king Oleksandr Usyk, he quickly rebounded. By securing back-to-back stoppage victories over Fabio Wardley, the 29-year-old solidified his status as a two-time world champion and cemented his position among the sport’s leading heavyweights.
Yet, even with the first-hand experience of Dubois’ legendary, bone-crushing punching power, Hrgovic confessed that it was Itauma’s superior speed, timing, and boxing IQ that presented the most complex puzzle of his career. Speaking candidly in an interview with veteran combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, Hrgovic elaborated on the distinct differences between facing a pure puncher and an elite technician.
Reflecting on his memorable battle against Itauma, Hrgovic praised the young contender’s multifaceted skillset, noting that while the power was manageable, the sheer velocity of the attack was unprecedented. "I think he’s very good. He’s maybe the best who I fought. The quickest guy, the best IQ, the best timing and speed," Hrgovic told Helwani during their interview.
At the same time, the IBF champion was keen to draw a distinction between overall fighting ability and raw, concussive force. While Itauma possessed the attributes of a generational technician, Hrgovic noted that his fists did not carry the same frightening weight as some of his other notable adversaries. "But he’s not the biggest puncher. I received harder punches from Dubois, from David Adeleye, and from Zhilei Zhang," Hrgovic added, highlighting the heavy-handed nature of his other past opponents.
Those past encounters underscore just how battle-tested Hrgovic truly is. His heavyweight campaign includes a grueling, controversial points victory over Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang, a bout where Hrgovic had to dig deep to survive a frightening first-round knockdown before rallying on the scorecards. Conversely, his 2025 encounter against British contender David Adeleye provided a much more straightforward path to victory, resulting in a clear and decisive unanimous decision that demonstrated Hrgovic’s ability to comfortably outbox physically imposing opponents.
By comparing these varied experiences, Hrgovic’s assessment of Moses Itauma carries significant weight within the boxing community. It highlights that in the heavyweight division, raw knockout power is only one facet of danger, and that exceptional speed, ring intelligence, and timing can create an equally formidable challenge for even the most seasoned champions.
