Oleksandr Usyk vs Filip Hrgovic is ‘one-sided’ says ex-promoter who backs Moses Itauma to come back a ‘bigger threat’

OLEKSANDR USYK’S former promoter warned Filip Hrgovic not to get any ideas after stunning Moses Itauma. Hrgovic became Croatia’s first-ever heavyweight world champion following an upset victory over Britain’s Moses Itauma. Filip Hrgovic stopped Moses Itauma in nine rounds Credit: Getty Usyk with his former promoter Alex Krassyuk Credit: Instagram @alex.krassyuk Itauma dropped Hrgovic in round two and found himself miles ahead when his gas tank began to empty. And in a show of inexperience, the 21-year-old continued to drain his energy looking for the KO before exhaustion took over. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Referee Howard Foster had no choice but to wave off the fight with Itauma slumped to the ropes – barely able to stand. Usyk’s ex-promoter Alex Krassyuk was ringside for the bout and talked down Hrgovic’s chances against the Ukrainian great – who is looking for his farewell fight. He told SunSport: “I think it’s a one-sided fight. “I was joking to my girlfriend. When you watch the beginning, it was like Hrgovic was on 1.0 speed and Itauma was 1.25, 1.5 speed. “So, the difference is with Usyk, he only starts from round number six, starts to accelerate. “So, I don’t think he has many chances. But with all respect to Filip, he did great today.” Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The Home of Boxing in 2026 There's a massive year of boxing ahead! It has already been a blockbuster year inside the ring, and it is not going to stop anytime soon! All eyes are focused on when Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will get in the ring, with the pair due to finally settle their decade-long rivalry. Katie Taylor calls time on her illustrious career this weekend at Croke Park as she faces Flora Pili, with the chance to become a three-time undisputed champion. Conor Benn fights for his first world title one week later against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas – it is The Destroyer’s second bout for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing. October’s action doesn’t stop either, with Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois facing off in the rematch of their thrilling fight in May, while Canelo Alvarez returns against Christian Mbili on Halloween. Here’s all the big fights coming up… September Sat 5 – Katie Taylor vs Flora Pili – DAZN Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN Sep 12 – Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian Sat 19 – Isaac Cruz vs Nestor Bravo – DAZN October Sat 3 – Ben Whittaker vs Conor Wallace – DAZN Sat 17 – Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 – DAZN Sat 31 – Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbili – DAZN *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue. Usyk needed late surges to beat British greats Anthony Joshua, 36, and Tyson Fury, 38. AJ is now part of Usyk’s training camp and has admitted to being blown away by the 39-year-old’s intensity in the gym. It leaves Krassyuk confident Itauma can learn from his heartbreaking loss. He said: “Experience is the most precious thing you can ever get. “So, his team has to analyse what happened and to make the adjustments to his training because of conditioning. “I remember Usyk makes conditioning a number one priority.” Itauma was released from hospital and spoke out on social media to thank fans in the wake of his first loss. Meanwhile Hrgovic, 34, is now set for a mandatory title defence against Frank Sanchez, 34, who initially stepped aside. Comment now