In recent weeks two of Britain’s most promising boxing talents, Moses Itauma and Conor Benn, have endured crushing setbacks that could shape the next chapters of their careers. Both fighters stepped onto the biggest stages of their lives only to see their world‑title aspirations halted—Benn was stopped by Ryan Garcia in just two rounds during his bid for the WBC welterweight crown, while Itauma succumbed in the ninth round of his bout against Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight belt.
Their losses have sparked a lively discussion about how they can recover, rebuild confidence, and adjust their game plans to avoid lingering mental scars. Former world champion George Groves, who knows all too well the pain of repeated attempts to capture a title, weighed in on the situation. Groves, whose own path to a world championship required four tries, emphasized that the key for a 21‑year‑old Itauma will be resilience and self‑belief.
"He has to demonstrate a great deal of mental toughness to bounce back," Groves told Sky Sports. "You can’t train for the exact exhaustion you feel in a title fight; the pressure of fighting under the lights with everything on the line is a completely different beast." Groves praised Itauma for having already experienced that pressure, calling it a credit to the young fighter. He added that the next step is to use the experience as a learning tool rather than a source of lasting trauma. "The goal is to avoid deep‑seated mental scarring," Groves explained.
"He should keep the core of what makes him successful, but work on gaining more comfort and confidence in his pacing." One of the most glaring issues highlighted by Groves is Itauma’s stamina. "Right now he’s essentially a three‑round fighter," Groves said. "He struggles to maintain his output beyond that point, and you can see him gas out after the third round.
He’s a fast‑twitch athlete who throws with maximum force, which quickly drains his engine. He’s never really had to develop endurance at this level." To become a true contender, Itauma will need to become more efficient with his energy. That means refining his technique, improving his defensive movement, and learning how to conserve power for the later rounds. Groves suggested that a strategic step down in competition could provide a controlled environment for this development.
"If I had to rebuild Moses Itauma, I’d drop him a level for a while," he said, while also acknowledging that Itauma’s management has done a solid job so far. "The Hrgovic fight wasn’t a mistake—it was the right fight to elevate his profile, but it also brought extra pressure." Groves believes that the fight against Hrgovic, a strong but not particularly quick opponent, exposed Itauma’s weaknesses rather than proving him unfit for elite competition. "Hrgovic’s size and strength made him a good test for Itauma because he couldn’t match his speed," Groves noted. "The only time Hrgovic succeeded was when Itauma was exhausted and his style broke down." Looking ahead, Groves sees the biggest challenge for Itauma as navigating a career that has risen very quickly.
The boxer’s early success, speed, and youth have set high expectations, and managing those expectations will be crucial. A carefully selected opponent—perhaps someone durable but not as physically imposing as Hrgovic—could allow Itauma to work on pacing, cardio, and tactical adjustments without the overwhelming pressure of another world‑title bout.
Conor Benn faces a similarly complex rebuilding task, though his situation differs in weight‑class dynamics. After moving up to 160 lb for two fights against Chris Eubank Jr. last year, Benn returned to welterweight for the Garcia showdown, only to be stopped. Groves questioned where Benn truly belongs on the world‑class ladder.
"If he can’t stay at 147 lb, who can he beat at 154 lb or 160 lb?" he asked. "Middleweight doesn’t seem like the best move for him. The 154 lb division is stacked with talent, but it isn’t dominated by marquee names, which could give Benn a realistic path forward." Alternatively, Groves suggested a return to welterweight, where Benn would encounter elite fighters such as Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson.
However, the competition would be fierce, and Benn would need to prove he can compete at that level consistently. Another possibility is completing a trilogy with Eubank Jr., perhaps at super‑middleweight, though Groves expressed doubts that this rivalry has any further narrative to offer.
"I think that rivalry is done," he said. "It might become Benn’s most viable option, but it’s not the most exciting scenario for his career." Financially, Benn is already well‑off, having earned significant purses from his high‑profile bouts. Still, Groves believes retirement is unlikely.
"He’s made a lot of money, but I don’t think he’ll walk away after this loss," Groves asserted. "There’s still plenty of opportunity and motivation to keep fighting." In summary, both young British fighters must address distinct but overlapping challenges to bounce back from their recent defeats. For Itauma, the focus will be on building endurance, learning to manage his explosive style over longer distances, and selecting opponents who allow him to refine his skill set without overwhelming pressure.
For Benn, the decision revolves around finding the weight class that best suits his attributes, possibly revisiting the welterweight division or settling into the competitive 154 lb tier, while also considering a potential final showdown with Eubank Jr. Both athletes will need strong mental coaching, strategic matchmaking, and disciplined training adjustments to transform these setbacks into stepping stones toward future success. Fans can continue to follow their journeys on Sky Sports, where upcoming events such as Johnny Fisher versus Michael Pirotton will be broadcast, offering further insight into the evolving landscape of British boxing.