Filip Hrgovic absolutely shredded the script in London tonight, shattering 21-year-old Moses Itauma’s world-title dream with a shocking ninth-round stoppage. Itauma was supposed to be heavyweight boxing’s next superstar, the heavy favorite after tearing through his first 14 opponents, but Hrgovic weathered a massive storm and pulled off a remarkable turnaround. It was an extraordinary heavyweight contest, to say the least.
Itauma, at just 21, controlled most of the fight, even scoring a second-round knockdown that had everyone thinking this was going to be a quick night for the Briton. He had that vacant IBF title in his sights, and a win would’ve made him the second-youngest world champion in the division’s history. But you could see it happening: his relentless output, that furious pace, it all started to catch up with him. That young age that seemed like an advantage? His inexperience started to show as the rounds wore on.
Hrgovic, an Olympic bronze medallist whose only previous professional defeat came against Daniel Dubois, just soaked up everything Itauma threw his way. He took the shots, he absorbed the pressure, and then, in the ninth round, he went for it. Itauma was barely able to stand, his legs unsteady, his body swaying. He literally slumped in the corner, and his team had to throw in the towel. It was brutal to watch, and Itauma even needed medical attention before leaving the arena on a stretcher. What a comeback for the Croatian, and what a gut-wrenching end for Itauma.
This wasn’t how anyone expected Itauma’s journey to go, especially with that vacant IBF title on the line. Hrgovic just proved that experience and resilience can flip any script, no matter how heavily favored the opponent.
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Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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