Filip Hrgovic is the new IBF heavyweight champion after an incredible come-from-behind victory against Moses Itauma.
Itauma looked to be well on the way to becoming the second youngest world heavyweight champion in history after a dominant start in his clash with the Croatian, even earning a knockdown against Hrgovic in round two.
Hrgovic had to show off a sensational chin as he endured a number of massive shots as the fight progressed, but despite losing each round comfortably, it was clear that Itauma was starting to tire.
That resulted in the dramatic ninth round, where an exhausted Itauma had nothing left to give, with Hrgovic taking full advantage as he piled on the pressure and forced referee Howard Foster to stop the contest just as trainer Ben Davison was also throwing in the towel.
It means Itauma will have to regroup and rebuild after suffering the first defeat of his career, and promoter Frank Warren revealed during the post-fight interview that the 21-year-old suffered an injury in the clash which may have had an impact on the outcome.
“This was an unbelievable fight tonight. Two courageous guys, Moses gave everything. He’s got a leg injury, he’s got to go back to the drawing board and can go again. He’s a young man he’s only 21, it was an opportunity, he took it and it wasn’t to be.
“I think towards the end of the fight it wasn’t like he was walking or trying to hold, he was just throwing, which they both were doing and he got clipped. He started off well but what happened happened, that’s boxing. He can come again.”
Hrgovic is now set to face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez after the Cuban agreed a step-aside deal to allow the bout with Itauma to happen, but that hasn’t stopped the new champion already calling for unification fights with Daniel Dubois and Agit Kabayel.
