Filip Hrgovic speaks out after SLAPPING Moses Itauma in heated final face off for huge world title fight at O2 Arena

FILIP HRGOVIC has spoken out following his sensational slapping of Moses Itauma. The pair took part in a fiery final pre-fight face-off on Friday afternoon ahead of their clash for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at the O2 Arena tonight. Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic took part in a tense final pre-fight face off on Friday Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK Hrgovic slapped the 21-year-old after being pushed off the stage Credit: PA Itauma upped the ante by shoving the Croatian clubber off the stage following a tense staredown. Former interim IBF title challenger Hrgovic didn’t take kindly to the argy-bargy, responding by SLAPPING Itauma in the face. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! A brief melee ensued, but security quickly got a lid on things by jumping in and separating the duo. Hrgovcic has remained silent on the matter, although he took to his Instagram today to send a message Itauma’s way. He wrote: “Tonight I represent 20 years of boxing. “20 years of sweat, sacrifice and survival. 20 years of training camp. “Tonight is just the final round. 🏆 #OnTheHunt #TeamHrgovic #HF.” Hgrovic goes into his second crack at a world title as a huge underdog. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic - all the info Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic face off for the IBF heavyweight world title And he’s vowed to brutally stop what many believe will be 21-year-old Itauma’s coronation as the new king of the heavyweights. During Thursday’s presser, the 34-year-old said: “I am just telling you facts, I am not playing games. “I am not smart enough to play mind games, I tell you what I think and I think he is a kid, I am the man. “He is not mature enough, I am much more experienced and that’s it, no mind games. Security quickly stepped in to stop Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic from prematurely trading blows Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK Hrgovic has vowed to cause a huge upset against the undefeated 21-year-old Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK “I’ll smash the kid on Saturday and send him back to high school. “He has said he wants some props but I have come here to London, on his territory, this kid everyone is avoiding. “I have come here for a fight and – against all the odds – I believe in myself. “I am fighting the guy they call, ‘The next Mike Tyson.’ So give me some props. I am going to smash the kid.” Comment now