Filip Hrgovic lauded Moses Itauma after delivering a stunning ninth‑round stoppage, but he also noted that the young Brit fought "like an amateur" throughout the bout. 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, a 21‑year‑old prospect who entered the ring unbeaten, dominated the opening six rounds with a series of crisp, precise punches. He appeared to be in control, landing clean combinations and dictating the pace.
However, as the fight wore on, the British fighter’s stamina began to falter. He struggled to penetrate Hrgovic’s solid chin, and the seventh round marked the first time in his career that he had ever been forced beyond six rounds. Sensing an opening, the Croatian surged in the ninth round, delivering a flurry that left Itauma’s corner with no choice but to throw in the towel. After the victory, Hrgovic praised Itauma as one of the most talented heavyweights in the division, yet he compared the youngster’s style to that of an amateur boxer.
"To be honest, he’s amazing," Hrgovic said. "I didn’t expect it to be so difficult; I thought I could handle him more easily." He continued, "I was losing every round. The kid is incredibly fast; you never see his punches coming.
He doesn’t have huge power, but his speed is exceptional. From the first round I could tell he was running out of gas and still boxing like an amateur." According to Hrgovic, Itauma’s inexperience showed when his energy waned.
"He was gassing out, and I realized my only chance was to stay patient, let him tire, keep the pressure on, and perhaps stop him later. That’s exactly what I did." The Croatian champion added, "I traveled to London, his hometown, to face the most gifted fighter in the weight class, and I defied the odds. I want to be recognized as the best heavyweight in the world – this is my moment.
I am the present; he is the future." Looking ahead, Hrgovic expressed a desire for unification bouts, saying, "I want to fight for unification against Dubois or Agit Kabayel. That’s my goal." Itauma entered the fight with high expectations, having built a reputation as one of boxing’s brightest young prospects after a string of early knockout victories.
Yet the bout exposed a key area for improvement: pacing. Against a durable opponent like Hrgovar, he must learn to conserve energy and manage his output beyond the halfway point of a fight. 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," the spokesperson said.
"He left the hospital last night and is now with his family." Promoter Frank Warren emphasized the importance of the boxer’s health, noting, "We always prioritize the fighter’s well‑being. He’s in the best place now, and we’ll keep everyone updated as we receive reports." Warren also mentioned that Itauma had suffered a leg injury and was visibly exhausted, describing the contest as a "high‑paced, fast fight for both guys" that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The young Brit had hoped to become Britain’s youngest heavyweight world champion, but Warren admitted that his future plans are now uncertain.
"I don’t know what he’ll say. I’m sure he’s a fighting man – he showed that right to the end. At the end, it was a war of fireworks, both men just letting bombs go." Warren added, "Mentally, he may be down right now.
We need to talk to him, lift his spirits, and see how he feels. It will take some time. He’ll get a nice break.
It’s not even the moment to discuss his next move. In a couple of weeks or maybe a month, we’ll see where we go from here." Meanwhile, Hrgovic now turns his attention to the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez, as he looks to defend his newly won title and continue his quest for unification in the heavyweight division. The bout highlighted the fine line between raw talent and seasoned experience.
While Itauma’s speed and technical skill earned him praise, his lack of endurance and the amateur‑like approach in later rounds proved costly. Hrgovic’s strategic patience and ability to exploit his opponent’s fatigue ultimately secured his historic triumph, cementing his place in boxing history as Croatia’s inaugural heavyweight champion.