Moses Itauma’s recent loss has sparked a lively debate about how well he prepared for his ninth‑round technical knockout at the hands of Filip Hrgovic. Going into the fight, the 21‑year‑old was the clear favorite, having dominated the first eight rounds with a display of skill and power that left many pundits convinced of an eventual victory. Yet, as the fight entered the ninth round, his energy waned, and Hrgovic seized the moment, forcing a stoppage that ended Itauma’s unbeaten run. One of the most vocal critics of Itauma’s preparation was former heavyweight contender Delicious Orie, who was taken aback when Itauma admitted before the bout that he had never completed a full twelve‑round sparring session.
"If I know I have a twelve‑round fight ahead of me, I’m going to train for fifteen rounds," Orie explained to Sky Sports. "Skipping a twelve‑round sparring session before a twelve‑round fight is, in my opinion, reckless." Orie argued that while Itauma’s technique was flawless, his lack of endurance was a product of limited experience. "He boxed perfectly, but his performance faded gradually rather than collapsing suddenly," Orie said. "That’s where experience comes in.
Hrgovic won that night because he had the stamina to outlast him." The former champion went on to compare the situation with a new generation of boxers who treat strength and conditioning with a scientific rigor. "You have to understand your own limits before you step into the ring.
Professional boxing isn’t a job you can learn on the fly," he warned. "Lifting weights or running fast doesn’t automatically translate to surviving twelve rounds; it’s a completely different animal." Orie summed up his view succinctly: "I think he should have beaten Hrgovic. I wasn’t in his camp, but we’ve all heard the story. He didn’t spar enough, plain and simple." The discussion didn’t stop with Orie.
Kent‑based lightweight prospect Sam Noakes, who shares a hometown with Itauma, echoed the sentiment that inexperience played a pivotal role in the defeat. Noakes noted that the young heavyweight was taken to hospital after the fight, a stark reminder of the physical toll such a loss can take. "It was more Itauma beating himself," Noakes said. "He was riding a wave of success and perhaps moved a little too quickly.
He wasn’t out of his depth; he simply ran out of steam, and Hrgovic capitalised on that." Noakes added that a prior twelve‑round sparring experience might have changed the outcome. "In hindsight it’s easy to say that, but he was already facing world‑class opposition.
This was the next logical step for him, even if he fell short in a title fight at 21. That’s the reality of boxing." Itauma entered the bout with the ambition of becoming the second youngest heavyweight champion in history, trailing only Mike Tyson.
Up until his encounter with Hrgovic, he had dispatched every opponent before the end of the sixth round, leading some observers to wonder whether his rapid ascent was premature. Orie, however, disagreed, defending both the timing of the fight and the role of promoter Frank Warren.
"I don’t think he was rushed. It was a logical step up. There was a lot of hype, but that didn’t affect the fight itself. Itauma isn’t a hype‑chasing personality; he’s a regular guy from Kent," Orie explained.
He placed confidence in Warren’s experience, stating, "Frank knows best what’s right for his fighters. The key issue now is Itauma’s mindset.
He feels his world has collapsed, but what he does over the next year or two will determine the trajectory of his career." Both Orie and Noakes remain optimistic about Itauma’s future, emphasizing the advantage of youth. "At 21, he has time on his side.
His mindset will dictate whether this loss is a stepping stone or a setback," Orie said. He drew parallels with other heavyweights such as David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko, who suffered defeats in their early to mid‑twenties before eventually capturing world titles. "People imagine a smooth path: turn pro, break a record, win a belt, retire.
Boxing rarely works that way." Noakes echoed this perspective, noting that the experience Itauma lacked has now been earned. "When he returns, he’ll be a better fighter. The loss feels 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 a world title.
I have no doubt the ending will still be the same – he will become an undisputed heavyweight champion." In summary, the consensus among those close to the sport is that Itauma’s defeat was less about talent and more about preparation. A lack of full‑length sparring, combined with the natural growing pains of a young athlete stepping onto the biggest stage, contributed to his ninth‑round stoppage. With the support of seasoned mentors and the benefit of time, the 21‑year‑old still possesses the tools to fulfill his championship aspirations. The next chapter of his career will hinge on how he adapts his training, builds endurance, and harnesses the hard‑won lessons from this pivotal bout.