Moses Itauma’s unbeaten run came to a brutal end on Saturday night as Filip Hrgovic came back from eight difficult rounds to stop the British heavyweight in the ninth at London’s O2 Arena and claim the vacant IBF heavyweight championship.
Itauma looked in complete control for much of the fight, using his speed, movement and sharp combinations to keep Hrgovic under pressure.
The 21-year-old southpaw produced one of the best moments of the contest in the second round when a counter right hook dropped the Croatian and gave Itauma an early advantage.
Hrgovic, however, refused to panic. The 34-year-old continued moving forward, targeting Itauma’s body and forcing the younger fighter to work throughout the contest.
Itauma remained the quicker and more accurate boxer through the middle rounds, but his opponent’s constant pushback began to take its toll as the fight progressed.
By the sixth round, signs of fatigue became visible. Itauma was breathing heavily, and his punches were no longer delivered with the same swiftness as they had earlier in the fight.
Hrgovic began to find his footing with his right hand and gradually turned the contest into an interesting battle.
Even after eight rounds, the younger Itauma was still leading the night. But Hrgovic had remained dangerous by doubling down on his aggression, and his patience eventually gave him the opening he needed.
The decisive moment came in the ninth when Hrgovic drove Itauma back towards the ropes before landing a heavy right hand that badly hurt the young Briton.
Itauma attempted to respond but was unable to escape the Croatian’s attacks, leaving his corner with little choice but to intervene.
Ben Davison stopped the fight at 2:27 of the ninth round, handing Hrgovic a technical knockout victory and the biggest win of his career.
The result ends Itauma’s professional record at 14-1 and brings a sudden halt to a rise that had seen him emerge as one of heavyweight boxing’s most exciting prospects.
He had entered the contest unbeaten and heavily favored. Still, Hrgovic’s resilience exposed a weakness that had not previously been tested at this level, which was Itauma’s ability to maintain his pace deep into a demanding heavyweight fight.
For Hrgovic, the victory represents the reward for years of waiting for a world-title opportunity. After suffering his only previous defeat against Daniel Dubois in 2024, the Croatian entered the O2 Arena with another chance to prove himself at the highest level, and he did not fail this time.
