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Key points: - Filip Hrgovic says winning the IBF heavyweight title would “ruin” a delusional Moses Itauma who isn’t ready for fame - Itauma admits Hrgovic is starting to genuinely irritate him with the comments - A win for Itauma would make him the second-youngest heavyweight champion in history, behind only Mike Tyson - The two meet Saturday, August 29, at London’s O2 Arena Filip Hrgovic has escalated his war of words with Moses Itauma days before their vacant IBF heavyweight title fight, arguing that winning the belt would actually be the worst thing that could happen to his 21-year-old opponent. “I think for him, it would be best for him to lose this fight because it can ruin him, to win a world title so young,” Hrgovic told reporters at a media roundtable. “His head is already in the clouds; he’s already delusional, and I think it can ruin someone who’s not ready for that kind of fame, that kind of money. It can ruin your soul, it can make you lose yourself.” He continued the theme in further comments, describing Itauma as a kid who’s never faced real adversity. “Everything has gone well for him. He hasn’t had any hard times. He went from youth level to professional. He had a few fights and became a star. Everyone is clapping him on his back, you’re the best, you’re the next Muhammad Ali, you’re the new Mike Tyson. He’s just not in reality.” Itauma conceded the comments are getting under his skin, even while insisting they won’t affect him in the ring. “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.” He offered his own read on the psychology behind it. “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.” A win Saturday would make Itauma the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history, behind only Mike Tyson and ahead of Floyd Patterson.