Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs) wore down Moses Itauma, taking his best shots to score a stoppage in the ninth round to capture the vacant IBF heavyweight title at The O2 Arena in London. Itauma looked like a sure-thing winner through six rounds, but unaccustomed to fighting longer fights due to the weak matchmaking by his promoters, he had nothing left by the seventh round.
It was a classic case of conditioning issues and inexperience, alongside a protected resume, finally catching up with the young phenom. Itauma collapsed into the turnbuckle late from pure exhaustion, which forced the corner to throw in the towel. Hrgovic makes history as Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion.
The 21-year-old Brit opened fast, dropping Hrgovic during round two with precise punches. Itauma built an early lead across the middle rounds through crisp flurries plus dedicated body work. Hrgovic showed off his granite chin, soaking up heavy artillery while remaining dangerous inside the pocket.
Things flipped once the contest pushed past six rounds, taking Itauma into uncharted territory. His output plummeted, his technique unraveled, then his gas tank hit empty. Hrgovic maintained steady forward momentum. Itauma stumbled badly after missing a right hand, fell against the ropes, prompting his corner to end the bout. It delivered pure drama following their heated weigh-in scuffle, proving veteran toughness outlasts raw explosiveness over the long haul.
One could see it happening slowly after the five rounds, as Itauma had his mouth wide open, sucking air like a fish out of water, showing the classic signs of a fighter unequipped for fast-paced fights that move beyond 4 rounds. More than that. Itauma just wasn’t used to getting hit back due to the poor opposition his Queensberry promoters had matched him against. They did him no favors by matching him the way they did, and tonight was an example of what happens when promoters do this to their fighters.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/29 at 6:57 PM
