Moses Itauma is set to face Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title later this month at London’s O2 Arena. The bout comes following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish the IBF, WBA, and WBC heavyweight belts in June, shortly after his controversial victory over kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

The 21-year-old British boxer and Cuban contender Frank Sanchez had initially been mandated to compete for the title. However, promoter Frank Warren secured a deal for Itauma to challenge the 34-year-old Hrgovic instead. Sanchez, who is guaranteed a future title shot against the winner, agreed to step aside for this arrangement.

Warren, who has managed Itauma since the fighter was 16, expressed confidence in his young protégé’s prospects. “A lot of people have high expectations of Moses, as I have,” Warren said. “We signed him when he was 16. We sponsored him and he turned professional with us. He’s been amazing and taken the world by storm. This is a big moment for him.”

Itauma enters the title fight undefeated with a 14-0 record. His most recent performance was a fifth-round knockout of American Jermaine Franklin in March at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. Hrgovic, who holds a 20-1 record, last fought in May at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium, securing a win after his opponent’s corner stopped the contest.

Itauma has publicly expressed aspirations to break Mike Tyson’s record as the youngest world heavyweight champion, set at 20 years, four months, and 22 days old. A victory over Hrgovic would make him Britain’s second-youngest world heavyweight champion, trailing only Prince Naseem Hamed, who was also 21 when he won his first title and was once managed by Warren.

Warren underscored the significance of the upcoming fight for Itauma’s career and personal fulfillment. “If Moses does this, I’ll be the happiest guy around because he’s such a nice guy,” he added.