Filip Hrgovic beat Moses Itauma this weekend, upsetting the odds to become Croatia’s first ever heavyweight world champion.
‘El Animal’ soaked up a tremendous amount of punishment from Itauma before seizing the moment and forcing a shock stoppage in the ninth. His attack was made easier by the fact that Itauma, who had been giving everything he had to score a knockout, completely emptied his gas tank.
Post-fight, Itauma was stretchered out of the main arena, with fans hoping exhaustion was the reason rather than a more serious injury. That final image of the 21-year-old does not tell the story of the fight, in the beginning of which he stunned with movement, angles and speed, bamboozling Hrgovic. Lack of experience aside, in an interview with DAZN the Croatian champion recognised the sheer skill he faced in the ring.
“Let me be honest, man, he’s amazing. He’s amazing. I didn’t know it was gonna be so hard. I thought I was gonna handle him easier. I was losing all the rounds. The kid is amazing – he’s so fast, you can’t see his punches coming. He don’t hit so hard, but he’s fast.”
Then came some critique and advice.
“From the first round I see that he’s gassing out. He boxed still like an amateur. He’s inexperienced. I saw he was gassing out and I knew my only chance was to stay there, make him tired, keep coming and to maybe stop him in the late rounds. That’s what I did.”
“I came to London, his home town, and beat the best guy in the division against all odds. I want to be considered the best heavyweight in the world. I’m the present, and he is the future.”
As Hrgovic moves on to target unifications, Itauma faces recovery and rebuild. Many in the sport feel that, though disappointing, the experience will serve him well ahead of any future title challenges.
