Hrgovic stops Itauma in ninth to claim vacant IBF heavyweight title

Key facts

Hrgovic defeated Itauma by ninth-round TKO at 2:27 at London’s O2 Arena on August 29
Itauma, 21, dropped to 14-1 after first pro loss; Hrgovic improved to 21-1 and became Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion
Itauma controlled first eight rounds and dropped Hrgovic in round two, but gassed badly after round six
Itauma taken to hospital on stretcher with knee injury and was hospitalized overnight under observation
Hrgovic was massive underdog entering fight; had lost previous IBF title interim bout to Daniel Dubois in June 2024

The result and the title victory

Filip Hrgovic stopped Moses Itauma in the ninth round at 2 minutes 27 seconds on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena to claim the vacant IBF heavyweight title. Itauma, the 21-year-old British prospect, suffered his first professional defeat and fell to a record of 14 wins and 1 loss. Hrgovic, 34, improved to 21-1 and made history as Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion.

How the fight unfolded

Itauma dominated the early rounds with exceptional speed and power, working behind a southpaw stance. He scored a knockdown in the second round with a short right hook that sent Hrgovic to the canvas for a count of eight. Throughout rounds one through eight, Itauma was the sharper and more assured fighter, repeatedly finding Hrgovic with fast combinations and body shots while the Croat appeared to be taking heavy punishment.

The tide turned dramatically after round six. Itauma’s stamina visibly deteriorated, his mouth opening in search of air as his legs lost their spring. Hrgovic, displaying the conditioning and ring experience of a seasoned professional who had fought at the highest levels against Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, simply remained in the pocket and waited for Itauma to wilt. By the ninth round, Itauma was completely spent and unable to withstand the assault. Hrgovic pounded him around the ring with renewed force until the referee intervened. Itauma’s corner, led by trainer Ben Davison, also threw in the towel to stop the fight.

Itauma’s record and ambitions

Itauma entered the bout as a highly touted prospect seeking to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history. He had compiled a perfect 14-0 record with 12 knockout wins, eight of which came in the first round. He had never sparred 12 rounds prior to this championship fight and was going beyond the sixth round for the first time in his career. Many in boxing believed he had the tools to become a dominant heavyweight champion, but his lack of experience and pacing proved costly at world-title level.

Hrgovic’s journey to the title

Hrgovic’s path to this victory was unconventional. He had been the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF title but was stalled when Usyk and Tyson Fury fought a trilogy. In June 2024, Hrgovic instead took an interim IBF title fight against Daniel Dubois, which he lost by late TKO. At the O2, he was listed as approximately a +500 underdog entering the ring against the much-hyped Itauma. Hrgovic’s refusal to quit despite being outboxed in every round through eight ultimately determined the outcome.

Post-fight medical attention

Itauma left the ring on a stretcher after receiving oxygen and immediate medical attention. He was taken to hospital in what promoter Frank Warren described as a precautionary measure. According to The Guardian, Warren confirmed on Sunday morning that Itauma remained hospitalized under medical observation. Warren stated Itauma had also suffered a knee injury in addition to fatigue from the high-paced fight. Warren expected Itauma to be released later that day after standard tests were completed.

Reactions and future perspective

Despite the loss, prominent figures in boxing believe Itauma’s future remains bright. Four-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson posted on social media that Itauma showed “unbelievable talent and skills” and will be a champion if he learns from the experience, noting that throwing every punch at maximum intensity “can be a gift and a curse” in the heavyweight division. Fellow British fighter Tony Bellew predicted Itauma will become world champion and emphasized that he showed toughness and bravery, adding that once he learns to pace a 12-round bout, “he’s gonna rule for a while.”

Hrgovic himself praised Itauma after the fight, calling him “the best guy in the division, the most talented guy in the division” and urging him not to give up. Hrgovic attributed his victory partly to Itauma’s inexperience in pacing and his decision to trade shots at close range in the final rounds rather than boxing at distance, saying it was “a stupid move from him. Very stupid. But it’s inexperience.”

Sources

Featured photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash