Filip Hrgovic told British heavyweight Moses Itauma he will “send him back to high school” when they fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.

Unbeaten Itauma, 21, is aiming to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history – Mike Tyson remains the youngest.

Hrgovic, 34, has repeatedly called Itauma a “kid” in the build-up, prompting the Chatham heavyweight to admit the taunts were starting to wind him up.

But Itauma played down their impact at Thursday’s news conference. “At the end of the day, talk is cheap. It’s schoolboy banter,” he said.

An Olympic bronze medallist with an extensive amateur pedigree, Hrgovic’s only pro defeat came against Daniel Dubois in 2024.

He dismissed suggestions he was trying to play “mind games”.

“I just tell you what I think. I think he’s a kid, he’s not mature enough. I think I’m the man. I’m a much better age, much more experienced. That’s it,” he said.

The 2026 Mountain Bike World Championships are taking place in Italy this week and BBC Sport will be showing Sunday’s action live from Val di Sole.

Coverage of the elite cross-country women’s and men’s events will be on iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website.

There is a strong British contingent at this year’s championships, which conclude with the infamous and highly technical “Black Snake” downhill track.

Fiorentina are in talks with Manchester United over an initial loan move for forward Joshua Zirkzee.

The Netherlands international can leave Old Trafford this summer and has attracted interest from across Europe.

Talks are taking place between Fiorentina and United over what would be a loan until the end of the season with an option to potentially make the transfer permanent next summer.

Zirkzee, who has three years remaining on his contract, is open to move to the Serie A club.

An agreement is not described as close at this stage but there is optimism that a deal can be reached before transfer deadline on 1 September.

Zirkzee joined United from Bologna for £36.5m in 2024 having won Serie A’s Under-23 player of the season for 2023-24, and scored on his debut in a 1-0 win over Fulham.

But he has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular making just 27 starts among 75 appearances during his two season at the club.

The 25-year-old, who made just five Premier League starts in 2025-26, has scored nine goals in all competitions for United.