Allen, who shared the ring with Hrgovic only weeks ago, believes Itauma is facing a significant step up but still expects the 21-year-old to come through.

“It’s a great fight, it is a big step up, I think. I think that Franklin was a good fight, but Hrgovic is another step up again, a lot more danger.

“Hrgovic, I think, is a world-class fighter. I think that he is very, very, very good, but I think that with Itauma’s speed and variation, I think that Itauma wins. I think that he is that special,” said Allen on his TikTok site.

The proposed fight would represent the toughest test of Itauma’s career. The rising heavyweight has quickly moved through domestic and international opposition and is coming off another dominant victory over former world title challenger Jermaine Franklin.

Hrgovic, meanwhile, has rebuilt his position following last year’s stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois. Since that loss, the Croatian has returned with victories that have pushed him back into the heavyweight title conversation and toward a high-profile meeting with Itauma.

The fight is expected to take place later this year, with August 8 at the O2 Arena emerging as the most frequently reported date.