Moses Itauma and Conor Benn, two of Britain’s most promising boxing talents, have both endured crushing setbacks in the span of just a few weeks. Their first attempts at world titles ended in disappointment: Ryan Garcia stopped Benn in the second round of a WBC welterweight championship bout, while Itauma was overwhelmed in the ninth round by Filip Hrgovic in a fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight crown.
The rapid rise and sudden fall of these young fighters have prompted veteran ex‑world champion George Groves to weigh in on what lies ahead for them, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience, strategic matchmaking, and a measured approach to their development. Groves, whose own career was marked by perseverance—he finally captured a world title after four attempts—believes that Itauma, only 21, must now prove his inner steel. "He’ll need to show a great deal of resilience to bounce back, and he must keep his confidence and self‑belief intact," Groves told Sky Sports.
He noted that the psychological toll of a world‑title fight cannot be replicated in the gym; the pressure of performing under bright lights with everything at stake is a unique crucible. "He’s been through that experience, and that in itself is a credit to him.
The next step is to use what he learned," Groves added. The former champion warned that the mental scars from such a loss could linger if not addressed properly. "It isn’t an easy task, but I hope there isn’t a lasting mental scar.
They need to return to training without trying to reinvent themselves completely—just refine what they already have and build more comfort and confidence in the pacing of future fights," Groves explained. This advice underscores a broader theme: the need for incremental growth rather than drastic overhauls. One of the most glaring issues Groves highlighted was Itauma’s stamina. "Right now he’s essentially a three‑round fighter.
He struggles beyond that point and begins to gas out," Groves observed. He described Itauma as an athlete with an extremely fast‑twitch muscle composition who throws with maximum power, a style that quickly depletes his energy reserves. "He’s never really had to work on endurance, and that’s something he must improve," the veteran said. The solution, according to Groves, lies in becoming more efficient with his output and learning to conserve energy over longer bouts.
When asked how he would rebuild Itauma’s career, Groves suggested a step back in competition level, but he also praised the management team for making a bold move by matching him against Hrgovic. "It was a logical step to elevate the fight to a world‑title situation, even if it added extra pressure. Itauma probably thought he could finish Hrgovic early and pushed the pace too hard, which led to his exhaustion," Groves explained. He recommended pairing Itauma with a durable opponent who is not as physically imposing as Hrgovic, allowing him to develop endurance without being overwhelmed.
Groves also pointed out that Hrgovic, while a strong and powerful adversary, was not particularly fast, which gave Itauma a chance to exploit his speed before fatigue set in. "The fight showed that when Itauma’s stamina faded, Hrgovic was able to take control," he said, reinforcing the need for better pacing. Turning to Conor Benn, Groves acknowledged that his career path is equally complex. Benn has already experimented with weight classes, moving up to 160 lb for two bouts against Chris Eubank Jr.
last year before dropping back to welterweight for the Garcia fight, where he suffered his own defeat. "I’m not sure where he truly fits among world‑class fighters," Groves admitted.
"If he stays at 147 lb, his options are limited to facing the likes of Teofimo Lopez or Shakur Stevenson. If he moves up to 154 lb, he enters a deep division with many high‑quality contenders, but it’s not a marquee weight either. The middleweight jump to 160 lb doesn’t seem ideal either." Groves suggested that a potential trilogy with Eubank Jr., possibly at super‑middleweight, could be a viable route for Benn, though he expressed reservations about making that the sole focus.
"That rivalry feels finished, and I’m not a huge fan of it becoming the only path forward," he said. Nonetheless, the financial rewards from high‑profile fights remain significant, and Groves believes Benn is unlikely to retire after his loss.
"He’s earned a lot of money, but I don’t think he’ll walk away now. There’s still plenty of opportunity and incentive to keep going," Groves concluded.
In summary, both young British fighters face a pivotal crossroads. For Itauma, the priority is to develop endurance, manage fight tempo, and regain confidence after a harsh lesson at the highest level. For Benn, the challenge is to identify the weight class where he can be most competitive while navigating a crowded middle‑weight landscape. Groves’ insights stress that rebuilding is less about drastic changes and more about fine‑tuning existing strengths, learning from past mistakes, and gradually stepping up competition as stamina and experience improve.
With the right adjustments and a supportive team, both boxers have the potential to rebound, reclaim their trajectories, and perhaps even surpass the expectations set for them before these setbacks.