Filip Hrgovic, the 34‑year‑old Croatian who made history by becoming his country's first world heavyweight champion, praised his opponent Moses Itauma after the dramatic ninth‑round stoppage at The O2 in London. While Hrgovic lauded the young Briton's raw talent, he also noted that the way Itauma boxed resembled an amateur's style, especially as the bout wore on. The fight began with Itauma, a 21‑year‑old unbeaten prospect, dictating the early action.
For the first six rounds he landed a series of crisp, precise punches that kept Hrgovic on the back foot. Observers noted his speed and technical accuracy, qualities that have earned him a reputation as one of the most promising heavyweights in the division.
However, as the rounds progressed, the young Briton started to show signs of fatigue. By the end of the sixth round he was visibly winded, and his output began to drop. Hrgovic, known for his sturdy chin and relentless pressure, weathered the early storm.
The seventh round marked a turning point for Itauma; it was the first time in his career that he had been forced to fight beyond six rounds. The Croatian champion sensed the shift and began to apply steady pressure, testing the limits of Itauma's stamina.
By the ninth round, Hrgovic seized the moment, landing a series of powerful blows that forced Itauma's corner to throw in the towel. In the post‑fight interview, Hrgovic spoke highly of Itauma's abilities. "Let me be honest, he's amazing. I didn't expect it to be that tough; I thought I could handle him more easily," the champion said.
He continued, "The kid is fast, you don't see his punches coming. He doesn't hit as hard as some, but his speed is exceptional. However, from the first round I could tell he was gassing out; his boxing was still very much like an amateur's." Hrgovic explained his own strategy, noting that he recognized Itauma's inexperience early on.
"I saw he was tiring, so my plan was to stay patient, keep moving, and let him run out of steam. That's exactly what I did," he said.
The Croatian added that fighting in London, Itauma's hometown, added extra pressure, yet he managed to defy the odds. "I came here against the most talented guy in the division and I beat all the odds," Hrgovic asserted. Looking ahead, Hrgovic made his ambitions clear. "I want to be considered the best heavyweight in the world, and this is my time.
I am the present, he is the future. I want to fight for unification against Dubois or Agit Kabayel. Unification is my goal," he declared. Moses Itauma entered the bout with a reputation built on early knockout victories and was hailed as one of the sport's brightest young prospects.
The loss, however, exposed a crucial area for development: pacing. Hrgovic's durability and experience forced Itauma to expend energy early, and the young Briton was unable to conserve enough stamina for the later rounds.
Experts suggest that mastering energy management will be essential for Itauma if he hopes to compete against seasoned, durable opponents in the future. After the stoppage, Itauma was carried out of the ring on a stretcher as a precautionary measure. Queensberry Promotions later released a statement confirming that the fighter had been released from the hospital and was back 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. "We always make sure the fighter's health comes first," Warren said.
He added that Itauma had also suffered a leg injury during the bout and was extremely fatigued. "It was a high‑pace, fast fight for both men – edge‑of‑your‑seat action all the way through," Warren noted.
Warren also addressed the uncertainty surrounding Itauma's next steps. The young heavyweight had been aiming to become Britain's youngest ever heavyweight world champion, but the loss leaves his future path unclear. "I don't know what he's going to say.
I'm sure he's a fighting man. He showed that right to the end. At the end, that's the type of fight it was – they were standing there just letting bombs go," Warren said. He admitted that Itauma would need time to recover both physically and mentally.
"He's going to have a nice break. It's not even the time to talk about it with him at the moment. We'll probably discuss his future in two weeks or a month," Warren explained. Meanwhile, Hrgovic now turns his attention to his next mandatory challenge.
The IBF has ordered him to face the organization's top contender, Frank Sanchez, in his next bout. This fight will serve as Hrgovic's first defense of the vacant IBF heavyweight title he captured from Itauma. In summary, the Hrgovic‑Itauma showdown delivered a mix of technical skill, youthful exuberance, and veteran resilience. Hrgovic's victory solidified his status as a world champion and highlighted his tactical patience, while Itauma's performance, though impressive in the early rounds, underscored the need for better endurance and ringcraft.
The boxing world will now watch both fighters closely: Hrgovic as he aims for unification, and Itauma as he works to refine his stamina and experience for a potential comeback.