Moses Itauma’s recent performance has sparked a debate about his readiness after he suffered a crushing ninth‑round technical knockout at the hands of Filip Hrgovic. Going into the bout, Itauma was the clear favorite, having steamrolled his opponents in the first eight rounds.
However, his momentum stalled dramatically, and he was halted before the final bell. One of the most vocal critics, former champion Delicious Orie, expressed surprise after learning that Itauma had never previously sparred for a full twelve‑round distance. "If I’m stepping into a ring knowing I have twelve rounds ahead of me, I train for fifteen.
Skipping a twelve‑round sparring session before a twelve‑round fight is, in my view, reckless," Orie told Sky Sports. He added that while Itauma’s technique was flawless, his lack of experience manifested gradually, allowing Hrgovic to capitalize on the fatigue that set in late. "He blew a gasket," Orie said, comparing the situation to a new generation of boxers who now prioritize strength and conditioning but still need to understand their own limits before stepping into the spotlight. "You can’t learn on the job in professional boxing." Orie believes that, under different circumstances, Itauma could have emerged victorious.
"He should have beaten Hrgovic. I wasn’t in his camp, but the consensus is that he didn’t spar enough; it’s that simple. Lifting weights or sprinting fast does not equate to sustaining a twelve‑round war.
It’s an entirely different animal," he explained. The discussion broadened when lightweight prospect Sam Noakes, also hailing from Kent and harboring world‑title aspirations, weighed in. Noakes echoed Orie’s assessment that inexperience played a pivotal role in Itauma’s first professional loss, a defeat that left the 21‑year‑old requiring hospital care after the fight. "It was more Itauma beating himself.
With all the success he’d enjoyed, he may have rushed out of the blocks. He wasn’t out of his depth; he simply ran out of stamina, and Hrgovic seized the moment," Noakes said. He suggested that a prior twelve‑round test could have helped, noting that hindsight is always clearer. "He was taking on top‑tier opponents, which was the natural next step.
He just fell short in a world‑title clash at 21. That’s boxing, unfortunately." Itauma had been on the cusp of becoming the second‑youngest heavyweight champion ever, trailing only Mike Tyson. Prior to facing Hrgovic, he had dispatched every opponent within six rounds, prompting some observers to question whether he had been fast‑tracked into title contention. Orie, however, disagreed, defending promoter Frank Warren’s handling of the fighter’s career.
"I don’t think he was rushed. The step up to Hrgovic was appropriate, even if there was a lot of hype surrounding it.
Itauma isn’t the type to thrive on hype; he’s a regular guy from Kent," Orie asserted. He added that Warren, with his extensive experience, knows best how to navigate the next phases of Itauma’s journey. "The real issue now is Itauma’s mindset.
He feels his world has collapsed, but what he does over the next year or two will shape the rest of his career." Both Orie and Noakes remain optimistic about Itauma’s future, emphasizing his youth as a significant advantage. "At 21, he has time on his side. Depending on his attitude, this setback could be the foundation for a future championship run," Orie remarked.
He referenced past heavyweight champions 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 trajectory: turn pro, break a record, win a belt, retire. Boxing rarely works that way." Noakes echoed this sentiment, noting that the experience Itauma lacked has now been acquired.
"When he returns, he’ll be a better fighter. The loss feels catastrophic now, like the end of the world, but it’s also a learning opportunity," he said.
His advice to the young heavyweight is straightforward: return to the ring as quickly as possible 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." In summary, the consensus among seasoned fighters is that Itauma’s lack of twelve‑round sparring contributed significantly to his defeat, but his age, talent, and the guidance of his promoter give him a solid platform for a comeback. The next steps will involve rebuilding stamina, gaining experience in longer bouts, and maintaining the mental resilience needed to navigate the unforgiving landscape of professional heavyweight boxing.