“I didn’t understand,” said Hrgovic to Queensberry about Itauma. “I saw one of his interview when he was like 20. I think he said he was tired of boxing and that Ben Davison gave him a new desire for boxing.

“One question for Moses, for my young friend. How did you get tired of boxing at 20 years? So he was boxing for like what six, five, seven years?

“So how you get tired of boxing at 20 because I’m 34 and still like boxing. I like to train, to spar, to run. How you get tired at 20?”

Itauma dismissed the criticism and suggested Hrgovic could not relate to his experiences.

“That’s good for you,” said Itauma. “You don’t have to understand.

“You don’t know nothing about me so you’re not gonna understand anything. We’ve lived different lives and you ain’t gotta understand why I didn’t enjoy boxing. You ain’t gonna do that. It’s not gonna do you no favors in the ring.”

The August 29 bout is widely viewed as the biggest test of Itauma’s professional career. The unbeaten heavyweight has impressed with his speed, power and composure while compiling a 14-0 record with 12 knockouts, but he has yet to defeat a proven contender or a fighter with Hrgovic’s level of experience.

Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) has shared the ring with established heavyweights during his career and is coming off a stoppage victory over Davis Allen. At 34, the former Olympic bronze medalist believes his experience and confidence will expose the questions that still surround one of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects.

Despite the hype surrounding Itauma, there remain unknowns. He did not build his reputation by defeating a string of elite amateurs, and his professional opposition has yet to provide a clear indication of how he will respond against a genuine world-level heavyweight. Hrgovic represents the first opponent expected to push him into uncomfortable territory, making the London showdown a significant measuring stick for both fighters.