Filip Hrgovic took just three rounds to stop Dave Allen last night in Doncaster, potentially setting up a clash with rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma.

Allen’s corner threw in the towel after close to nine minutes of straight punishment, giving Hrgovic the 20th victory of his career. Post-fight, ‘El Animal’ confirmed that he is interested in taking on Itauma next, and promoter George Warren said clearly that he would be looking to finalise that fight this week.

Speaking on his YouTube channel the morning after, Allen detailed how ‘sore’ he was from the three rounds, and had nothing but praise for the Croatian.

“He was really good, to be honest. He was big, you know. We weighed the same, but he was big … He’s not a huge puncher, not massively powerful, I don’t think he could’ve knocked me out, but he’s really good. He kept catching me on the back of the head – no complaints, I was trying to duck and slide around it – but it wasn’t an illegal punch.

“He’s fast, he lets his shots go … He’s just busy as f**k. I don’t need that at my age – he and [Luis] Ortiz are the best two [I’ve faced]. I’m a decent fighter, probably not as good as I was, and I do think six, seven years ago I could’ve gone ten. I wouldn’t have beaten him in a million years.”

The Doncaster man did not give a prediction for the Itauma match-up, but hinted that there may aspects of Hrgovic’s game to exploit.

“If he boxes Itauma… I don’t know, you know. I’m not sure. He’s good. He’s there to be hit, but he does that much punching, it’s hard to get one off on him. I felt like he would’ve slowed down, but for my style and ability, I’d have taken way too much to get him there.”

Itauma’s headline slot is booked for August 8 in London, so all eyes now turn to Hrgovic and whether or not he feels fit enough – and is not hampered by the cut he suffered – to go again in less than three months.

If the contracts can be signed, many feel that Hrgovic can be the man to finally take Itauma into deeper waters. If he can’t, the young Brit’s case as a future dominant champion only strengthens.