Moses Itauma’s recent loss has sparked a lively debate about whether his training regimen was adequate for a world‑title showdown. The 21‑year‑old heavyweight entered the ring as the overwhelming favorite against Croatia’s Filip Hrgović, yet after a dominant performance through the first eight rounds he ran out of steam and was stopped by a ninth‑round technical knockout.
The abrupt ending has prompted several of his peers and commentators to examine the factors that may have contributed to the defeat, especially his sparring schedule and overall experience. One of the most vocal critics is fellow boxer Delicious Orie, who was taken aback when Itauma admitted before the fight that he had never completed a full twelve‑round sparring session. Orie explained to Sky Sports that a boxer who is about to fight a twelve‑round bout should be accustomed to the same length in training: "If I knew I had twelve rounds ahead of me, I would be doing fifteen‑round sparring sessions. Not doing twelve rounds before a twelve‑round fight is, in my opinion, reckless." He added that while Itauma’s technique was flawless, the lack of endurance was evident as the fight progressed, and that Hrgović capitalised on this shortfall.
Orie likened the situation to the modern era of boxing, where athletes place a heavy emphasis on strength and conditioning but sometimes neglect the specific demands of a long, tactical bout. "You have to understand your own limits before stepping into the ring.
You can’t learn that on the job in a professional setting," he warned. He also suggested that, despite Itauma’s obvious talent, the defeat could have been avoided if the young fighter had logged more rounds in the gym.
"Lifting weights or sprinting fast doesn’t automatically translate to lasting twelve rounds. It’s a completely different animal," Orie said. The conversation didn’t stop with Orie. Kent‑based lightweight contender Sam Noakes, who shares a hometown with Itauma, echoed the sentiment that inexperience played a pivotal role.
Noakes, who watched the fight closely, noted that Itauma’s first career loss was not a sign of being outclassed but rather a case of “beating himself.” He observed that the boxer seemed to tire as the fight entered the later stages, allowing Hrgović to seize the momentum. "If he had previously gone the distance in a twelve‑rounder, perhaps the outcome would have been different. In hindsight it’s easy to say, but he was already fighting at a very high level," Noakes explained. The defeat also reignited discussions about whether Itauma was rushed into a world‑title opportunity.
Prior to facing Hrgović, the Kent native had stopped every opponent inside six rounds, a streak that raised eyebrows when he was matched against a seasoned champion. Some analysts argued that the rapid ascent might have been premature, but Orie disagreed, defending both the fighter and his promoter, Frank Warren. "I don’t think he was rushed.
It was a logical step up. There was a lot of hype, but Itauma isn’t the type to get caught up in it. He’s just a regular guy from Kent," Orie said, adding that Warren’s experience would guide the boxer through the next phases of his career.
Looking forward, both Orie and Noakes expressed confidence that Itauma can rebound and eventually claim a heavyweight crown. Orie highlighted the advantage of age: "At 21, he has time on his side.
His mindset will determine whether this setback becomes a stepping stone or a stumbling block." He referenced past champions such as David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko, who suffered early defeats in their twenties before achieving greatness. "Boxing isn’t a smooth ride. You don’t turn pro, beat a record, win a title and retire. It’s a long, often painful process," Orie reminded listeners.
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 like the end of the world, but it’s also a catalyst for growth," he said. His advice was straightforward: get back into the gym quickly, focus on building stamina, and resume the pursuit of a world title.
"I have no doubt the ending will still be the same – he will become an undisputed heavyweight champion," Noakes concluded. In summary, the consensus among those close to the sport is that Itauma’s technical skill remains unquestioned, but his preparation, particularly the lack of twelve‑round sparring, left him vulnerable when the fight demanded endurance. The episode serves as a reminder that even prodigious talent must be matched with appropriate experience and conditioning. As the young heavyweight recovers from his hospital visit and reflects on the loss, the boxing community will be watching closely to see how he adapts his training, whether he adds longer sparring sessions, and how quickly he can re‑enter the title conversation.
With time on his side and a supportive team, many believe that Moses Itauma’s journey is far from over and that his greatest chapters may still lie ahead.