Hrgovic stops Moses Itauma to claim IBF heavyweight title

Filip Hrgovic stopped Moses Itauma in the ninth round at The O2 Arena to claim the vacant IBF heavyweight title and end the unbeaten run of one of boxing’s most highly rated young prospects.

The victory made Hrgović the first Croatian to win a world heavyweight title, while Itauma suffered the first defeat of his professional career after dominating the opening stages.

Itauma dominates early rounds

The 21-year-old Briton started brilliantly, using his speed, accuracy and combinations to control the fight as Hrgović struggled to match his youthful energy.

Itauma appeared to be cruising towards victory after winning the opening six rounds. His best moment came in the fifth when a left uppercut landed flush on Hrgović’s chin, but the Croatian absorbed the shot and continued to press forward.

The seventh round marked a significant moment as Itauma was taken beyond six rounds for the first time in his professional career.

By the eighth, the relentless pace had begun to drain Itauma, while Hrgović remained composed and continued applying pressure.

Hrgovic turns fight around

The decisive moment came in the ninth round when Itauma was visibly exhausted and struggled to stay upright as Hrgović advanced.

With his fighter unable to defend himself effectively, Itauma’s corner threw in the towel, bringing the contest to an end and handing Hrgović the biggest victory of his career.

The young Briton was attended to by medical staff before being taken from the arena on a stretcher.

Hrgovic praised Itauma after the fight, calling him the best opponent he had faced and predicting a bright future for the young heavyweight.

“He’s an amasing fighter; I want to thank him for giving me a chance to become a new superstar in the heavyweight division. I am the present. He is definitely the future,” Hrgović said.

“He is the best I have been in the ring with, but he needs more experience. I knew I was losing the rounds, but I knew that I had the pace in my favour.”

Itauma taken to hospital

Itauma was taken to hospital for precautionary checks following the stoppage.

Promoter Frank Warren confirmed the move, stressing that the fighter’s health remained the priority.

“Moses has gone to the hospital for a check-up,” Warren said.

“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.

“He’s there and he’s in the best place. We’ll see what happens when I’ve got a report. We’ll obviously let everybody know.”

The defeat ends Itauma’s unbeaten start and represents a setback in his rapid rise, although his early dominance underlined his status as one of heavyweight boxing’s brightest prospects.

For Hrgovic, the victory establishes him as Croatia’s first world heavyweight champion and puts him at the centre of the division’s title picture.