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2026-08-06 08:56 UTC → 2026-08-06 12:34 UTC ·
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In early May, Daniel Dubois stopped British champion Fabio Wardley to claim the WBO heavyweight title, triggering a mandatory challenge from 21‑year‑old Moses Itauma and sparking controversy over the stoppage. Wardley activated his rematch clause, promising a comeback before year‑end. Former champion Dillian Whyte later floated potential match‑ups involving Itauma, Oleksandr Usyk and Croatian veteran Filip Hrgović. By June, a Wardley‑Dubois rematch for the autumn was confirmed, with the winner set to meet Itauma on 29 August. The main‑event bout between unbeaten 21‑year‑old Moses Itauma (14‑0, 12 KOs) and will meet Croatia’s veteran Filip Hrgović (20‑1, 15 KOs) was repeatedly on 29 August at London’s O2 Arena in a fight now confirmed as a contest for the O2 Arena on 28‑29 August, both arriving on recent stoppage victories. vacant IBF heavyweight world title. The bout was upgraded after a step‑aside agreement with mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who will receive a guaranteed title shot against the winner within six months. Promoter Frank Warren billed highlighted the fight arrangement as beneficial for all parties, and the event will be shown on DAZN pay‑per‑view. The fight follows a decisive step toward series of pre‑fight developments, including a world‑title opportunity, and mandatory order that elevated the undercard featured several British prospects. In July, clash, praise from heavyweight stars after Itauma sparred with Tyson Fury, earning praise from Fury and Anthony Joshua, comments from Oleksandr Usyk and named Croatian amateur Luka Pratljacic the hardest‑hitting heavyweight he has faced. The IBF later ordered WBA about Itauma’s standing. A victory would make Itauma to negotiate with Frank Sanchez for the vacant IBF title; Sanchez stepped aside, upgrading the O2 Arena clash to a vacant IBF second‑youngest heavyweight world‑title fight, with the winner crowned champion. New developments champion in August include Oleksandr Usyk stating that Hrgović is “a test” while Itauma is “the future” of the division history and could even defeat current WBC champion Agit Kabayel. The World Boxing Association clarified a ranking error, confirming Itauma as its sole mandatory challenger. Pre‑fight press conferences saw personal jabs exchanged, but give Hrgović the bout proceeds as scheduled on 29 August in London. chance to become Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion, especially after Usyk relinquished his remaining belts.