Daniel Dubois has shared his reaction after Moses Itauma suffered the first defeat of his professional career against Filip Hrgovic.
Hrgovic showed a sensational chin throughout the contest as he recovered from a second round knockdown to earn the ninth round TKO win against an exhausted Itauma, winning the vacant IBF heavyweight title in the process.
WBO heavyweight champion Dubois was sat ringside to watch the fight unfold, and whilst speaking to Seconds Out, he began by praising Hrgovic for his victory.
“It’s boxing. The better man won. It was a good fight while it lasted. I knew Hrgovic had it in him. He’s a tough competitor.”
Dubois is the only man to have defeated Hrgovic, claiming an eighth round TKO win due to cuts back in June 2024, and ‘DDD’ felt that Itauma’s performance against his former rival showed that the two Brits aren’t on the same level.
“[I have a] different mindset, [I’m a total] total different animal. I wasn’t going to be denied. He’s not me. He can come again I suppose. Maybe rebuild I suppose. It tests his team out around him now. He’ll see who’s really with him.”
A unification fight between Dubois and Itauma had been touted for Wembley Stadium next year, but those plans have now gone up in smoke after the victory by Hrgovic.
Itauma will instead have to rebuild as he looks to bounce back from his first loss, while Dubois will look ahead to his rematch with Fabio Wardley, after it was officially confirmed that the two men will meet for the second time on October 17.
