Discussing the matchup, Booth pointed to two recurring weaknesses in Hrgovic’s game.
“Filip’s two biggest weaknesses are sometimes he can be just defensively ignorant. He doesn’t care about getting hit because he does have a really good chin, and the skin around his eyes opens up so quickly,” said Booth to talkSPORT Boxing.
He referenced Hrgovic’s recent victory over David Adeleye, noting that an early cut could have become a much bigger problem had Adeleye thrown more punches.
Booth also warned that Hrgovic’s power makes him dangerous despite those flaws.
“If he fights smart, where he is a little bit more defensively savvy against a very quick, explosive, clever southpaw and he doesn’t allow himself to get hit with some basic shots, then he’s certainly got the weight in his right hand if he lands it to ask questions of Moses that haven’t been asked yet in a fight,” said Booth.
Booth described the contest as “by far” the toughest assignment of Itauma’s career, saying it is exactly the type of fight needed to determine whether the heavyweight prospect is ready for the sport’s elite.
Hrgovic is looking to continue his resurgence after victories over Joe Joyce, Dave Allen and David Adeleye, while Itauma enters the bout unbeaten and highly ranked by multiple sanctioning bodies.
Itauma has never faced an opponent with Hrgovic’s experience or punching power.
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