Moses Itauma’s lead‑up to his ninth‑round technical knockout loss against Filip Hrgović has come under intense scrutiny. Going into the contest, the young heavyweight was the heavy favorite, and he dominated the first eight rounds with apparent ease. Yet, as the fight progressed, his energy waned and he was halted in the ninth, prompting critics to examine whether his training regimen was sufficient. Former champion Delicious Orie expressed surprise when Itauma revealed he had never completed a full twelve‑round sparring session before stepping into the ring.
"If I’m scheduled for a twelve‑round bout, I’m going to train for fifteen rounds. Skipping a twelve‑round sparring session before a twelve‑round fight is just reckless," Orie told Sky Sports.
He added that while Itauma boxed with technical precision, his performance was a gradual decline rather than an abrupt collapse, a pattern he linked directly to a lack of experience. "Hrgović won that night because of his experience. He kept his composure while Itauma’s stamina faltered," Orie explained. Orie likened the situation to the modern trend of boxers focusing heavily on strength and conditioning while neglecting the nuanced endurance required for a twelve‑round war.
"You have to understand your own limits before you step into the ring. You can’t learn that on the job in professional boxing," he warned.
"I think he should have beaten Hrgović. I wasn’t in his camp, but the consensus is clear: he didn’t spar enough. It’s as simple as that.
Lifting weights or sprinting fast doesn’t automatically translate to sustaining twelve rounds; it’s a completely different animal." The commentary was echoed by lightweight prospect Sam Noakes, also hailing from Kent and harboring world‑title aspirations. Noakes agreed that inexperience played a pivotal role in Itauma’s first professional defeat, especially considering the 21‑year‑old was taken to hospital after the bout. "I think it was more Itauma beating himself.
With all the success he’d enjoyed, he may have rushed the start too quickly. He wasn’t out of his depth; he simply ran out of gas and Hrgović capitalised on that," Noakes said. He added, "If he had previously completed a twelve‑round sparring session, perhaps the outcome would have been different. In hindsight it’s easy to say, but he was already fighting elite opposition.
The step up to a world title fight at 21 was a massive leap, and unfortunately he fell short. That's the reality of boxing." Itauma was on the verge of becoming the second‑youngest heavyweight champion in history, trailing only Mike Tyson. Prior to Hrgović, he had dispatched every opponent inside six rounds, which raised concerns that he might have been propelled into title contention before fully developing the stamina needed for longer fights. Orie, however, defended the timing of the move, praising promoter Frank Warren’s role in shaping Itauma’s career.
"I don’t think he was rushed. It was a logical step up to Hrgović. There was a lot of hype, but that didn’t affect the fight itself.
Itauma isn’t a hype‑chasing personality; he’s just a regular guy from Kent," Orie noted. "Frank knows best what’s right for him. The key issue now is Itauma’s mindset.
He may feel his world has collapsed, but how he responds over the next one or two years will dictate the trajectory of his career." Both Orie and Noakes remain optimistic that Itauma can rebound and eventually claim the heavyweight crown. Orie highlighted the advantage of youth, stating, "At 21, he has the greatest asset any athlete can possess: time. If he approaches the next phase with the right attitude, this loss is merely the opening chapter of his championship journey." He referenced past champions such as David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko, who suffered setbacks in their early to mid‑twenties before achieving lasting success. "People imagine a smooth path: turn pro, break a record, win the world title, retire in glory.
Boxing rarely works that way. The sport is full of twists, and we’ve seen that here." Noakes added that the experience Itauma lacked has now been earned the hard way.
"When he returns, he’ll be a better fighter. The loss feels catastrophic, like the end of the world, but it’s also a learning opportunity. My advice is to get back in the ring as soon as possible and resume the chase for the world title. I have no doubt his ultimate destination remains the same – undisputed heavyweight champion," he concluded.
In summary, the consensus among seasoned insiders is that Itauma’s preparation, particularly his sparring volume, was insufficient for a twelve‑round championship bout. While his raw talent and technical skill remain undeniable, the episode underscores the critical importance of endurance training and real‑fight experience in the upper echelons of boxing. The next steps for the young Kent native will involve rebuilding confidence, enhancing stamina, and possibly revisiting a more gradual progression through longer sparring sessions under Warren’s guidance. If he can assimilate these lessons, the path to heavyweight glory may yet be within reach.