Filip Hrgovic lauded Moses Itauma after the surprising ninth‑round stoppage, but he also noted that the Briton fought in a manner reminiscent of an amateur. The 34‑year‑old Croatian, who captured the vacant IBF heavyweight crown at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night, became the first world heavyweight champion from Croatia. Itauma, a 21‑year‑old prospect who entered the ring unbeaten, dominated the early stages of the bout.
In the first six rounds he landed a series of crisp, accurate punches that kept Hrgovic on the defensive. However, as the fight wore on the young Brit appeared to tire, and he was unable to breach Hrgovic’s sturdy chin. The seventh round marked a milestone for Itauma – it was the first time in his career that he had been pushed beyond six rounds. Seizing the opportunity, Hrgovic intensified his attack in the ninth round, prompting Itauma’s corner to throw in the towel.
In the aftermath, the Croatian champion praised his opponent as the most gifted heavyweight in the division, yet he compared his style to that of an amateur boxer. "To be honest, he’s amazing.
I didn’t expect it to be this difficult; I thought I could handle him more easily," Hrgovic said. "I was losing every round. The kid is incredibly fast; you can’t see his punches coming.
He doesn’t have huge power, but his speed is exceptional. From the first round I could tell he was gasping for air, and his technique still looked amateurish." He continued, "He’s inexperienced, and I saw he was tiring, so my only strategy was to stay in the fight, let him fatigue, keep pressing forward and hope to stop him later.
That’s exactly what I did." Reflecting on the fight’s location, Hrgovic added, "I came to London, his hometown, against the most talented guy in the division and I beat the odds. I want to be regarded as the best heavyweight in the world – this is my moment. I am the present; he is the future." Looking ahead, Hrgovic expressed a desire for unification bouts, stating, "I want to fight for unification against Dubois or Agit Kabayel.
That’s my goal." Itauma entered the contest hailed as one of boxing’s brightest young prospects, thanks to several early knockout victories. Yet the fight exposed a need for better pacing when confronting durable opponents like Hrgovic. After the stoppage, the 21‑year‑old was carried out on a stretcher and taken to hospital as a precaution.
A statement from Queensberry Promotions on Sunday confirmed that he had been released and was back home with his family. The promoter’s spokesperson wrote, "Moses is well. He left the hospital last night and is back at home with his family." Frank Warren, who promotes both fighters, reiterated the importance of the boxer’s health, saying, "We always prioritize the athlete’s wellbeing.
He’s in a good place now, and we’ll wait for a full medical report before saying more. He also injured his leg and was clearly exhausted. It was a high‑tempo, fast‑paced fight for both men – edge‑of‑your‑seat action from start to finish." Itauma had hoped to become Britain’s youngest heavyweight world champion, but Warren admitted that his future plans are now uncertain.
"I don’t know what he’ll decide. He’s a fighter, and he showed that right to the end.
They were just trading bombs in the ring. I’m not even sure how he feels mentally; he’ll need time to recover. We’ll talk to him in a couple of weeks or a month and see what’s next," Warren said. In the wake of his victory, Hrgovic must now turn his attention to the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez, as he looks to defend his newly won title and pursue the unification fights he has spoken about.
The bout highlighted several broader themes in modern heavyweight boxing. First, the rapid rise of young talent like Itauma underscores the depth of the division, where fighters in their early twenties can quickly amass impressive records and earn title shots. Second, the importance of stamina and fight‑management was evident; even a technically gifted opponent can falter if they lack the conditioning to sustain a high‑tempo battle over the full distance. Finally, the fight illustrated the role of experienced champions in exploiting these weaknesses, using patience and strategic pressure to turn early deficits into decisive victories.
For Itauma, the loss may serve as a valuable learning experience. By working on his cardio, pacing, and defensive fundamentals, he can return stronger and better equipped for the rigors of championship‑level competition. Meanwhile, Hrgovic’s confidence appears bolstered, and his statements suggest he is eager to cement his status as the division’s premier heavyweight by taking on other top contenders and unifying the belts. Overall, the night at the O2 was a milestone for both fighters: a historic triumph for Hrgovic and a sobering lesson for the young Briton, setting the stage for the next chapter in their respective careers.