Filip Hrgovic lauded Moses Itauma after the surprising ninth‑round stoppage, but he also noted that the young Brit fought "like an amateur" throughout much of the bout. The 34‑year‑old Croatian, who made history on Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena by capturing the vacant IBF heavyweight crown and becoming Croatia’s first world heavyweight champion, praised his opponent’s raw talent while pointing out the shortcomings that ultimately cost Itauma the fight. Itauma, only 21 and unbeaten heading into the contest, showed flashes of brilliance in the opening six rounds.
He landed a series of crisp, accurate punches that kept Hrgovic on the back foot and demonstrated why many in the boxing community consider him one of the sport’s brightest prospects. Yet, as the rounds wore on, the youngster’s stamina began to wane. He struggled to penetrate Hrgovic’s sturdy chin and, for the first time in his career, was forced to fight beyond the six‑round mark.
The turning point arrived in the ninth round. Hrgovic, sensing his opponent’s fatigue, unleashed a flurry that forced the British camp to throw in the towel. In the aftermath, the Croatian champion praised Itauma’s natural ability, calling him "the most talented fighter in the heavyweight division" while also remarking that his style reminded him of an amateur boxer.
"Let me be honest, he’s amazing," Hrgovic 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 fast—his punches come at you before you can see them. He doesn’t have massive power, but his speed is exceptional. From the first round I could tell he was gasping for breath; he was boxing like an amateur." He continued, "He’s inexperienced, and I saw his stamina fading.
My strategy was to stay in there, wear him down, keep the pressure and look for a stoppage later. That’s exactly what I did.
I came to London, his hometown, faced the division’s most gifted youngster and defied the odds." Hrgovic’s confidence was evident as he declared, "I want to be recognized as the best heavyweight in the world. This is my moment. I am the present; he is the future.
I aim for unification fights against the likes of Dubois or Agit Kabayel. That’s my goal." Itauma entered the fight with a reputation built on early‑career knockout victories, and many had expected him to become Britain’s youngest heavyweight world champion. However, the bout exposed a critical area for development: pacing.
Against a durable, seasoned opponent like Hrgovic, Itauma’s early aggression left him depleted before the halfway point. To succeed at the elite level, he will need to learn how to conserve energy, manage distance, and adapt his tempo for longer contests. After the stoppage, the 21‑year‑old was carried out on a stretcher and taken to a hospital for precautionary checks.
A statement from Queensberry Promotions on Sunday confirmed that he had been released and was back home with his family. "Moses is well," the spokesperson said. "He left the hospital last night and is now at home with his loved ones." Promoter Frank Warren emphasized the priority of the boxer’s health, noting, "We always make sure the fighter is safe.
His leg also took a knock, and he was clearly exhausted. It was a high‑tempo, fast‑paced fight for both men—edge‑of‑your‑seat action from start to finish." Warren also addressed Itauma’s future, admitting that the path forward is uncertain. "I don’t know what he’ll decide. He’s a fighter, and he showed that to the end.
They were trading blows like bombs. Mentally, he might be down right now; we’ll need to talk to him, lift his spirits, and see where he stands. He’ll need a proper break—perhaps a few weeks or a month—before we discuss his next move." Meanwhile, Hrgovic now looks ahead to his next challenge: the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez.
The Croatian champion will aim to defend his newly won title and continue his quest for unification, solidifying his place among the heavyweight elite. In summary, while Moses Itauma displayed remarkable speed and technical skill that impressed even his victorious opponent, his lack of experience and conditioning proved decisive. Hrgovic’s respectful yet candid assessment highlights the fine line between raw talent and seasoned professionalism in heavyweight boxing. As both fighters move forward—Hrgovic toward further title defenses and Itauma toward a period of recovery and growth—the heavyweight division remains poised for exciting developments.