The Ring's No. 5-rated heavyweight barely broke a sweat against Dave Allen (25-9-2, 20 KOs) and made a conscious effort to set about the home favorite as soon as he saw defensive openings in the first frame.

Allen shipped punishment aplenty before his corner, led by Jamie Moore, had seen enough and compassionately pulled him out 23 seconds before the end of round three at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.

Exactly a week removed from widespread criticism surrounding Team Wardley's inability to pull the plug early against Daniel Dubois, there was to be no repeat as the Yorkshireman was simply outclassed by a far better operator.

During his post-fight interview, the Croatian apologised to a partisan crowd wishing for a fairytale story to have its happy ending.

"I started fast because I saw he was open from the beginning, wanted to finish him fast to make a statement. I wanna fight with anyone in the division, Moses or anyone. I just need to sit with my manager, my team to check if there are any cuts, injuries, give me a mirror George [Warren] and I'll sign the contract now. Sit for a few days and we'll decide, I never run from any opponent."

Sporting a slight nick on his eye and swelling to his lip, Hrgovic doubled down in a dressing room interview with Queensberry.

"I'll fight Moses, just need to make sure everything is right for me. It's already in the contract [he signed a multi-fight extension], he's a really good guy, fast and a big task, one of the best in the division but he's not tested yet. He never received a good punch, never went deep in late rounds so I believe in myself, I'm not favorite in that fight but believe I can beat him."

When asked how different that matchup would look than Allen, who he breezed past, it wasn't even a question.

"Much different, he's on a different level. Much faster, bigger, a really fast southpaw, he'll give me problems ... bad times in the first [few] rounds because of the speed but I see my chance, bringing him into deep waters. Go to the body a lot, make him tired, push him to the limits. He's a big puncher but no-one has ever knocked me out in my life. Great chin, durable and I throw a lot of punches, can give him a big challenge and believe that I can beat him."

He referenced the Dubois defeat in June 2024, one stopped by the doctor after suffering cuts above both eyes, as further evidence of his toughness. Queensberry chief George Warren voiced a natural eagerness to get that fight over the line for a summer headliner at The O2 on August 8.

"Dave was brave but Filip showed his class. As soon as we're in the office next week, we want to get that fight made and announced, keep delivering great fights. He's a world class operator, Moses wants to be world champion — as does Filip — they're gonna have to get it on at some point, why not now?"

Hrgovic, who briefly stated he endured a 'terrible' training camp for this, was glad to get through relatively unscathed and snap the barren run without a stoppage since a first-round blowout of overmatched foe Mark De Mori in December 2023.

Itauma has continued his rapid development and boxed seven times since then, 'El Animal' just four by comparison and this morale-boosting display could see them meet at the best possible time.