Itauma Denied IBF Heavyweight Title As Hrgovic Completes Dramatic Ninth-Round Comeback

Itauma Denied IBF Heavyweight Title As Hrgovic Completes Dramatic Ninth-Round Comeback

...Croatian survives early onslaught before stopping Nigerian-born Briton in ninth round

By Niyi Busari 

Filip Hrgovic produced a stunning comeback at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night, stopping Nigerian-born British heavyweight Moses Itauma in the ninth round to claim the vacant IBF world heavyweight title, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The dramatic victory ended Itauma’s unbeaten professional record and dashed the 21-year-old’s hopes of becoming Britain’s second-youngest world heavyweight champion after Mike Tyson.

Hrgovic, 34, was forced to absorb sustained punishment in the opening rounds as Itauma showcased the speed, power and combinations that had made him one of heavyweight boxing’s most highly rated young prospects.

Itauma appeared firmly in control early in the contest and dropped Hrgovic in the second round with a sharp right hook. The Croatian survived the count and continued to absorb punishment, but his durability ultimately proved decisive.

Despite Itauma dominating much of the first half of the fight, the pace began to take its toll. The Briton had never fought beyond the sixth round in his first 14 professional bouts, and Hrgovic gradually began to turn the contest around.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the eighth round as Itauma began to tire. Hrgovic, sensing an opportunity, increased the pressure and forced his younger opponent onto the back foot.

By the ninth, Itauma was visibly exhausted and struggling to defend himself as Hrgovic unleashed a sustained barrage. With the 21-year-old trapped against the ropes and unable to respond effectively, referee Howard Foster intervened, while Itauma’s corner also threw in the towel.

The stoppage handed Hrgovic the biggest victory of his career and improved his professional record to 22-1.

More significantly, he became Croatia’s first-ever world heavyweight champion, adding a historic chapter to the country’s boxing record.

For Itauma, the defeat was a major setback to one of boxing’s fastest-rising careers.

The 21-year-old entered the bout unbeaten and had won all but two of his previous 14 professional fights by stoppage. A victory over Hrgovic would have made him the youngest heavyweight world champion since Tyson captured the title at the age of 20 in 1986.

Instead, Itauma was forced to endure his first professional defeat after a fight in which he appeared to be on course for victory before fatigue dramatically changed the complexion of the contest.

He required medical attention after the bout and was assisted from the arena.

Despite celebrating the biggest achievement of his career, Hrgovic was quick to acknowledge the quality of his young opponent.

“He's an amazing fighter. He's the best I've been in the ring with,” Hrgovic said after the fight, while suggesting that Itauma’s lack of experience had proved costly.

Hrgovic’s only previous professional defeat came against Daniel Dubois in 2024. He now holds the IBF heavyweight belt and has already expressed an ambition to pursue further unification fights.

For Itauma, the defeat represents the first major obstacle in a career that remains filled with promise. For Hrgovic, it was a night of resilience, patience and historic achievement as he transformed a fight he appeared to be losing into a landmark victory.