British heavyweight Moses Itauma shoved Croatian challenger Filip Hrgovic off the stage during the ceremonial weigh-in on August 28, 2026, at London's Spitalfields Market ahead of their IBF heavyweight title fight [1, 2, 3]. In response, Hrgovic slapped Itauma in the face before security intervened to separate them [1, 2, 3].
The confrontation was not planned. Itauma appeared irritated by something Hrgovic said before the shove. "I don't know, I just lost it a little bit. I had a little itch and I had to scratch it," Itauma said [1]. Hrgovic replied, "He pushed me first so I just gave it back. He started it" [1].
Earlier the same day, the official weigh-in took place behind closed doors, separate from the ceremonial event where the incident happened [1]. Hrgovic weighed 16 stone 12 pounds (107 kilograms), his lightest weight in seven years and 12 pounds lighter than his previous fight in May [1]. Itauma weighed 17 stone 4 pounds (110 kilograms), the same weight as in his March victory over Jermaine Franklin [1].
Itauma, 21, is undefeated in 14 professional fights with 10 knockouts. He aims to become boxing's second-youngest heavyweight world champion after Mike Tyson [1, 2, 3]. Hrgovic, 34, has a professional record of 21 fights with one loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024 [2, 3].
The fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight title is scheduled for August 29, 2026, at London's O2 Arena [1, 2, 3].
