The upcoming boxing match between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic on August 29 in London is shaping up to be an exciting event, with several notable fighters added to the undercard. Among them are Sam Noakes and Constantin Ursu, who will be stepping into the ring for highly anticipated bouts.
Sam Noakes, a 28-year-old lightweight with an impressive 18-1 record and 16 KO's, is set to face Denys Berinchyk, a former titleholder. Noakes' return to the ring after a competitive loss to Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO title last November, followed by an easy tune-up win, makes this fight a significant one for his career. Berinchyk, on the other hand, hasn't fought since losing the WBO belt to Keyshawn Davis in February 2025, and his age (38) is a factor to consider. This bout promises to be an entertaining clash of styles and experience.
Constantin Ursu, a 26-year-old southpaw from Moldova with an unblemished 15-0 record and 6 KO's, will defend the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles against Ben Vaughan. While Vaughan's record (12-2, 4 KO) may not be as impressive, his losses have been close majority decisions, making him a sneaky dangerous opponent. This fight highlights the importance of not underestimating any opponent, regardless of their record.
The undercard also features a cruiserweight bout between Aloys Junior and Mike Perez. Junior, a 23-year-old with an 11-1 record and 9 KO's, has been on a winning streak since losing his pro debut in late 2021. He's starting to make a name for himself and has already won the Commonwealth title. Perez, a 40-year-old with a 32-3-1 record and 22 KO's, remains a decent fringe contender with an impressive win streak since 2017. This fight could be an interesting test for Junior, as Perez, despite his age, looks like the trickiest opponent he has faced to date.
What makes this undercard particularly intriguing is the mix of young, rising stars and seasoned veterans. Noakes and Ursu represent the next generation of boxing talent, while Berinchyk and Perez bring valuable experience and a wealth of knowledge to the ring. The addition of these fights to the Itauma-Hrgovic undercard not only strengthens the card but also provides a platform for these fighters to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves in the boxing world.
In my opinion, the Noakes-Berinchyk bout is the most intriguing on the undercard. While Noakes has the advantage of youth and a recent win, Berinchyk's experience and the fact that he is a former titleholder cannot be overlooked. This fight has the potential to be a showcase of boxing's next big stars, and I'm eager to see how it unfolds. The undercard as a whole promises to be an exciting preview of what's to come in the boxing world, and I can't wait to see these fighters step into the ring and make their mark.
