Filip Hrgovic lauded Moses Itauma after delivering a stunning ninth‑round stoppage, but he also noted that the young Briton's style resembled that of an amateur boxer. The 34‑year‑old Croatian, who made history on Saturday night at The O2 by capturing the vacant IBF heavyweight crown, became his country's first world heavyweight champion. Itauma, only 21 and unbeaten before stepping into the ring, dominated the opening half of the contest. He landed a series of precise, crisp punches that kept Hrgovic on the defensive for the first six rounds.

However, as the bout wore on, the younger fighter began to show signs of fatigue. He could not breach Hrgovic's famously sturdy chin, and the ninth round marked the first time in his career that he had ever been forced to go beyond six rounds without a decisive advantage.

In the ninth, Hrgovic seized the moment, unleashing a flurry that compelled the British corner to throw in the towel. After the victory, the Croatian champion praised Itauma as the most gifted heavyweight in the division, yet he remarked that the Briton's approach reminded him of the amateur ranks. "To be honest, he's amazing," Hrgovic said. "I didn't expect it to be this tough; I thought I could handle him more easily." He continued, "I was losing every round.

The kid is lightning‑quick; you never see his punches coming. He doesn't hit hard, but his speed is exceptional. From the first round I could tell he was gasping for air, boxing like an amateur. He's inexperienced, and once I realized he was tiring, I knew my only chance was to stay patient, let him tire out, keep the pressure on and look for a stoppage later.

That's exactly what I did." Hrgovic added a personal note about the venue and the stakes: "I came to London, his hometown, against the most talented guy in the division and I beat all the odds. I want to be recognised as the best heavyweight in the world, and this is my moment.

I am the present; he is the future. I aim for unification fights against the likes of Caroline Dubois or Agit Kabayel. That's my goal." Itauma entered the fight with a reputation as one of boxing's brightest young prospects, having amassed several early‑career knockouts. The bout, however, exposed a need for better pacing when confronting durable opponents who can survive the early onslaught.

After the stoppage, Itauma was carried out on a stretcher as a precaution and taken to hospital. A statement from Queensberry Promotions later confirmed that he had been released and was recuperating at home with his family. "Moses is well.

He left the hospital last night and is back at home with his family," the spokesperson said. Promoter Frank Warren emphasized the priority of the boxer's health, noting, "We always make sure the fighter is safe. He's in the best place now. We'll get a full report and keep everyone informed.

He also injured his leg and was very tired. It was a high‑tempo, fast fight for both men – edge‑of‑your‑seat action from start to finish." Itauma had been aiming to become Britain's youngest heavyweight world champion, but Warren admitted the future is now uncertain.

"I don't know what he'll say. He's a fighter, and he proved that to the end. They were just standing there trading bombs.

I have no idea how he's feeling mentally; he's probably down right now. We'll have to talk to him, lift his spirits and see where he stands. It will take some time. He'll get a decent break.

We won't discuss his next move for at least a couple of weeks, maybe a month, before deciding what's next," Warren explained. The loss forces Itauma to reassess his strategy and conditioning, particularly his ability to manage energy over longer bouts. Hrgovic, meanwhile, now turns his attention to the IBF's mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez, as he looks to defend his newly won title and pursue unification opportunities.

The heavyweight landscape has shifted dramatically, with the Croatian champion asserting his dominance while the young Briton must regroup, recover, and decide how to rebuild his promising career after a painful but instructive defeat.