Filip Hrgovic lauded Moses Itauma after the surprising ninth‑round stoppage, but he also noted that the young Brit fought in a manner more akin to an amateur than a seasoned professional. 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, only 21 and unbeaten before stepping into the ring, took control of the early action.
During the first six rounds he landed a series of precise, crisp punches that kept Hrgovar on the defensive. Observers noted his speed and technical skill, which made him appear as one of the most promising talents in the heavyweight division. However, as the bout wore on, the British fighter began to show signs of fatigue.
He struggled to penetrate Hrgovar’s 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 clear advantage. In the ninth, Hrgovar seized the moment, launching a decisive offensive that compelled Itauma’s corner to throw in the towel.
After the victory, Hrgovar praised Itauma’s natural ability, calling him the most gifted heavyweight he had faced, yet he also remarked that the younger man’s style reminded him of the amateur ranks. "Let me be honest, he’s amazing," Hrgovar said.
"I didn’t realize it would be this difficult; I thought I could handle him more easily. I was losing every round. The kid is lightning‑fast; you can’t see his punches coming.
He doesn’t hit hard, but his speed is incredible. From the first round I could tell he was gasping for air, and he was boxing like an amateur. He’s inexperienced, and I saw his stamina fading, so my only chance was to stay in there, wear him down, and look for a stoppage later. That’s exactly what I did." He continued, "I came to London, his hometown, against the most talented guy in the division and I beat all the odds.
I want to be recognized as the best heavyweight in the world, and this is my moment. I am the present; he is the future. I’m aiming for unification fights against the likes of Dubois or Agit Kabayel.
That’s my goal." Itauma entered the match with a reputation as one of boxing’s brightest young prospects, having amassed early knockout victories that sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike. Yet the fight exposed a crucial area for development: pacing. Against a durable opponent like Hrgovar, the 21‑year‑old struggled to conserve energy for the later rounds, which ultimately cost him the bout.
After the stoppage, Itauma was carried out on a stretcher and taken to a hospital as a precaution. A statement from Queensberry Promotions on Sunday morning confirmed that he had been released 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, noting, "That’s what we always do – make sure the boxer is safe. He’s in the best place now. We’ll get a full medical report and keep everyone informed. 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 been hoping to become Britain’s youngest heavyweight world champion, but Warren admitted that the future is now uncertain. "I don’t know what he’ll say. He’s a fighter, and he showed that to the end.
They were just standing there trading bombs. I’m not sure how he feels mentally – he’s probably down.
We’ll have to talk to him, lift his spirits, and see what he wants. It will take some time.
He’ll get a proper break. It’s not even the time to discuss his next move right now. We’ll probably revisit this in a few weeks or a month and decide what to do next." Looking ahead, Hrgovar’s next challenge will be the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez.
The Croatian champion will aim to defend his newly won title and continue his quest for unification, while Itauma will need to regroup, address his stamina issues, and perhaps re‑evaluate his training regimen to fulfill the promise that many see in his raw talent. The bout serves as a reminder that in heavyweight boxing, speed and skill must be balanced with endurance and experience if a fighter hopes to stay at the top of the sport.