Itauma says Hrgovic’s taunts are “winding him up” ahead of O2 IBF title fight

Moses Itauma said Filip Hrgovic's comments are starting to "wind him up" ahead of their IBF heavyweight world title fight at the O2 Arena on Saturday. The 21-year-old British fighter is seeking the 15th consecutive victory of his professional career.

A win at the O2 Arena would make Itauma the second youngest heavyweight world champion in history, behind Mike Tyson. The British boxer goes into the contest as the favourite, while Hrgovic has sought to unsettle him by calling him a "kid" and "inexperienced"; Hrgovic is 13 years older than Itauma. Itauma made his professional debut less than four years ago, has fought 14 times and has knocked his opponent out in all but two of those contests.

"I tell myself there's nothing that this Hrgovic guy can do to get in my head but he's starting to wind me up," Itauma said. "In an interview earlier, apparently he said I wake up and I just hug trees. He's really starting to annoy me. "In my mind if somebody's trying to get one up on you, or trying to get in your head, it's because they're not confident in themselves. Obviously Hrgovic is a talker."

Hrgovic has argued that winning could have a damaging effect on Itauma and that a defeat might "save his soul." "He's already in the clouds. He's already delusional," Hrgovic said. "It can ruin your soul, it can make you lose yourself and we've seen a lot of superstars and famous people who have lost themselves. "They're just lost in that crazy world of fame and money. He's not ready for that. I think, for him, it would be best to lose this fight, to save his soul. "Because what does it mean to achieve everything if you lose your soul and you lose yourself?"

Itauma responded to Hrgovic's comments by conceding some of the Croatian's point but rejecting it as a reason to hold back in the ring. "I wouldn't say he has a point but if I win this fight it might not be good for my soul," Itauma said. "That's not the reason why I'm just gonna go in there and not win – for the sake of my soul. That's not a good idea."

The IBF heavyweight world title fight between Itauma and Hrgovic is scheduled for Saturday at the O2 Arena.