Moses Itauma was handed a painful lesson at world-title level on Saturday night as the previously unbeaten British heavyweight ran out of energy and suffered a ninth-round stoppage defeat to Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena.
The 21-year-old had looked the more impressive fighter for much of the contest, using his speed, movement and sharp left hand to trouble Hrgovic.
However, his aggressive approach gradually took its toll as the experienced Croatian remained composed and waited for Itauma to tire.
Itauma’s corner eventually threw in the towel in the ninth round, handing Hrgovic the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
The defeat was the first of Itauma’s professional career, coming in his 15th fight. He was later taken from the arena on a stretcher and transported to hospital as a precaution.
“It’s precautionary that he’s gone to the hospital. That’s what we always do to make sure because the most important thing is the boxer’s health,” promoter Frank Warren said.
“He’s done something to his leg as well and he was quite tired. It was a high paced, fast fight for both the guys.”
Despite the setback, Itauma demonstrated that he possesses the ability to compete with a genuine world-class heavyweight. His hand speed repeatedly troubled Hrgovic, while he absorbed the Croatian’s punches without showing signs of a vulnerable chin.
The major difference proved to be conditioning and experience.
Before the fight, Itauma had never competed beyond six rounds as a professional and had admitted that he had not even sparred for 12 rounds. Against Hrgovic, that lack of experience became increasingly evident as the contest progressed.
Hrgovic, 34, had the benefit of several difficult fights at the highest level.
The Croatian is an Olympic bronze medallist and had previously gone the distance with Zhilei Zhang.
He also held an advantage on two of the three judges’ scorecards before his fight with Daniel Dubois was stopped because of cuts.
The build-up had also been tense. Hrgovic repeatedly questioned Itauma’s age and referred to him as “just a kid”. Itauma eventually lost his composure at the weigh-in, shoving his opponent before Hrgovic responded with a slap.
Once the fight began, Itauma appeared determined to finish matters quickly. That approach worked during his previous fights but became costly against an opponent capable of absorbing sustained punishment.
“Someone said to me he doesn’t feel like he’d win a world title unless he knocks him out. I didn’t like that,” Warren said.
The eighth round highlighted Itauma’s inexperience. He threw more punches than at any other point in the fight, expending a significant amount of energy in an attempt to force Hrgovic out of the contest.
Hrgovic said afterwards, “He was throwing too much. He was fighting like an amateur. I knew I needed to endure it. I need to stay there. He will get tired and I’ll get him in the later rounds.”
That prediction ultimately proved correct.
Hrgovic’s victory was his 21st professional win and his 16th stoppage, making him the first heavyweight world champion from Croatia.
For Itauma, however, the loss does not necessarily signal the end of his ambitions. His performance showed that his speed and technical ability can trouble established heavyweights, but he now faces the task of developing the stamina, pacing and ring craft required over 12 championship rounds.
Hrgovic urged the young Briton to rebuild rather than allow the defeat to damage his confidence.
“Don’t give up. Don’t lose confidence. Get a few easy fights, easy wins. Build again and learn off these mistakes.
You can’t box like an amateur. It’s a 12-round fight, you need to pace yourself,” was Hrgovic’s advice.
Warren remains confident that Itauma can recover from the defeat, pointing to Daniel Dubois, a two-time world champion, as an example of a heavyweight who successfully rebuilt his career after suffering a major setback.
The defeat has removed some of the aura surrounding Itauma’s unbeaten rise, but it has also exposed areas of his game that can be improved.
His response to this first professional loss will now determine whether Saturday’s defeat becomes a setback or an important step towards becoming a world champion.
