MOSES ITAUMA SET TO RETURN AGAINST FILIP HRGOVIC AS DATE AND LOCATION REVEALED

Perhaps the most exciting prospect in world boxing, Moses Itauma, is set to make his much-anticipated return to the ring in a huge step-up in opposition.

The highly-rated Brit was last in action back in March when he became the first man to stop durable American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round of their clash at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester.

Itauma has had an impressive start to his professional career and remains unbeaten in 14 contests, producing victories over the likes of Mariusz Wach, Demsey McKean and Dillian Whyte since his debut in January of 2023.

The 21-year-old from Kent now looks to take the next step towards becoming a world heavyweight champion as he prepares to tackle the toughest test of his career to date.

As reported by Sky Sports Boxing, Itauma will lock horns with Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday August 29, with a launch press conference expected to take place in the next couple of days.

Hrgovic could pose a serious threat to Itauma having suffered just one career defeat so far, an eighth round stoppage to reigning WBO world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in June of 2024.

The hard-hitting Croatian made his return to the ring last month when he proved to be too much for popular British heavyweight Dave Allen, stopping him in the third round of their clash at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, England.

Whilst he is faced with what is certain to be the toughest test of his career, a victory for Itauma will see him move into pole position for a world title shot, which could come against WBO champion Dubois.

- Kailem Lowe

ANTHONY JOSHUA HAS SEVEN-MAN SHORTLIST FOR NEXT FIGHT AFTER TUSON FURY RETIREMENT

Anthony Joshua has no fight planned (Image: Getty Images)

Anthony Joshua has been left in limbo following Tyson Fury's shock retirement - but has a number of possible options for his next fight, according to Eddie Hearn

Eddie Hearn has insisted Anthony Joshua is not short of options for his next bout, even if Tyson Fury remains retired.

In a stunning turn of events on Monday, Fury announced he was stepping away from boxing. The 'Gypsy King' chose to retire following his defeat in the rematch against Oleksandr Usyk last month in Riyadh. "Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet," Fury declared. "I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing, it has been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it and I'm going to end with this; Dick Turpin wore a mask."

This move by Fury scuppers any hopes for a much-anticipated all-British clash with Joshua. Nonetheless, speaking to The Sun, Joshua's promoter assured fans that 'AJ' has a wealth of potential contenders for his forthcoming fight. Among the names mentioned are Martin Bakole, Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois, and Joseph Parker. Joshua suffered a knockout at the hands of Dubois in their September showdown.Since then, 'Triple D' has expressed interest in a rematch with 'AJ', which seemed set for February. However, Hearn has indicated that Joshua isn't ready for the rematch just yet due to minor injuries sustained in their initial encounter.

Dubois is now set to clash with Parker in Riyadh on February 22 in a much-anticipated duel. This heavyweight encounter has the potential to pave the way for one of them to face Joshua next. Post their 2018 match-up, Parker would relish the chance to even the score with 'AJ' should he prevail against 'Triple D'. Meanwhile, Bakole issued a blistering challenge to Joshua and is now seen as a possible opponent for the Watford-born pugilist.

The two have sparred previously, and at 31, Bakole cements his top-contender status after defeating Jared Anderson. He taunted Joshua, saying: "Anthony Joshua, I called you out. I wanted to knock you out," and "Now you're talking s**** to say Ajagba is going to beat me. "Shame on you. How many times did I call you out? How many times did I ask you to fight in Africa? You should be ashamed of yourself. I want to fight you. I want to knock you out. Look at Daniel Dubois, I broke his nose twice. He knocked you out cold. If you fight me, I'll knock you out in the first round.

"You're talking about Ajagba. Ajagba is a baby. Wait till you see how I knock him out. I invite you to be there. You're talking s***. I want to fight you. Stop talking nonsense. Now you're saying you're Nigerian. You're not British anymore? I'll knock you out. I'm an African giant. I'm an African warrior. After knocking out Ajagba, I will knock you out as well."

A rematch with Whyte could be on the cards, as boxing enthusiasts believe it would be the ideal warm-up fight before taking on the division's top stars. A match with Wilder would be fascinating given their long-standing feud. 'The Bronze Bomber' is aiming for a comeback and one significant victory could enhance his chances of another high-profile bout. Both Zhang and Kabayel are set to face off next month for the WBC interim title - with the belt ensuring them a shot at Usyk's title or the opportunity to be promoted should the Ukrainian relinquish the gold strap.

- JAMES EVANS

BREAKING: TYSON FURY RETIRES FROM BOXING IN BITTER BLOW TO ANTHONY JOSHUA'S HOPES OF FIGHT

Tyson Fury recently lost to heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for the second time and after the fight the British boxer revealed that he'd need to consider his future in the sport.

Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing for the third time in a fresh bombshell statement.

Fury, 36, has been heavily tipped to fight fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua in 2025 but it appears that bout is no longer on the cards. The 'Gypsy King' lost his last fight in December to heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, the second time he'd been defeated by the Ukrainian. 

Fury made the announcement in a short video which he posted on social media on Monday afternoon.

"Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet," he said to the camera. "I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing. It's been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it. I'm going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. Get up!"

Boxing fans have noted that Fury has retired from the sport twice in the past. The first came after his historic victory over Wladimir Klitschko and again after he beat Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium.

Fury said when asked about the prospect of retiring after losing to Usyk in Saudi Arabia last month: "You might see me fight again, you might not."

Yet a clash with Joshua has been hotly debated ever since. Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing Joshua's promoter, said following Fury's loss: "The reality is there's only one fight for Tyson Fury and that's Anthony Joshua. It's the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing, everyone will always want to see it."

Tyson Fury recent lost to Oleksandr Usyk ( Image: PA)

Hearn also revealed on Sunday that he'd reserved Wembley for Fury and Joshua's fight to take place in 'May or June'. "Yes. We're looking to get back in the ring in May or June. If it ended up being July, it doesn't really matter,' Hearn told Sky Sports at the Ring Awards.

"I still think it rests on Tyson Fury. Until the water settles on the defeat and where he's at mentally and what he wants to do, that's where we're really going to find out. Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?"

Joshua, 35, also confirmed earlier this month that Fury was his next 'target'. He explained during a trip to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu: "2025, I am targeting Tyson Fury."

Fury and Joshua had been scheduled to fight in late 2022, with the Gypsy King the reigning WBC heavyweight champion at the time. Negotiations then collapsed, with Fury instead successfully defending his title against Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Joshua's last fight, meanwhile, came in September. The Olympic gold medalist was stopped in the fifth round by Britain's Daniel Dubois for the IBF title.

- Nathan Ridley

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