JEFF POWELL: Frank Warren talks up new golden age of British heavyweight boxing as prodigy Moses Itauma prepares for Filip Hrgovic showdown

Frank Warren has signalled a new ‘golden age’ for British heavyweight boxing as his prodigy Moses Itauma prepares for his unexpected world title fight with Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 on August 29.

The 21-year-old Itauma was already set to face the 31-year-old Croatian in a championship eliminator when the fight was promoted into a battle for the IBF title after undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk vacated all four alpha-belts.

Hrgovic’s only defeat in 21 fights came when he was knocked out in the eighth round two years ago by Daniel Dubois, who went on to become the WBO champion by stopping Fabio Wardley in a bloodied slugfest this May. Those two Englishmen will meet again in a rematch in October.

Hall of Fame Promoter Warren also has in his stable Tyson Fury who is heading for his long, long awaited Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua in November at either Wembley Stadium or New York’s fabled Madison Square Garden.

‘These are amazingly exciting times for heavyweight boxing in this country,’ says Warren. ‘We have a whole programme of mouth-watering fights pencilled in our calendar at Queensberry. 

‘Although Moses is in his toughest fight yet I expect him to become the second youngest ever world heavyweight champion behind Mike Tyson.

‘He would then have to deal with a mandatory defence against (American) Frank Mitchell, who I don’t think is as talented as Hrgovic. 

‘Win that and we should be looking at an IBF – WBO title unification fight between him and the winner of Dubois v Wardley. All of those are huge punchers and that fight would sell-out Wembley in a heart-beat.’

All the above are on Queensberry’s books except Mitchell and Joshua and Warren says: ‘I expect Tyson to beat AJ on seniors night and quite possibly carry on to fight whichever of the young bloods comes out on top as the new undisputed heavyweight champion.

‘Imagine Itauma the hottest most talked about heavy on the planet against Fury the box office Gypsy King. 

‘Is there a stadium big enough for that.By the last Saturday night this month the UK will know for sure what Itauma is all about. And as it happens even at his age he has the maturity and the level head to carry it all off. Even though every fight in his sights now will be as dangerous as they come.

‘Buckle up.’