Moses Itauma suffered the first loss of his career on Saturday, as he was stunned by Filip Hrgovic in a world heavyweight title thriller.
Itauma, 21, was aiming to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion ever – only after Mike Tyson – but his corner threw in the towel in round nine to end that dream.
London’s O2 Arena crowd was left in shock as Hrgovic became Croatia’s first-ever world heavyweight champion, having survived his British foe’s best shots before turning the tide to collect the vacant IBF belt.
Hrgovic, 34, demonstrated an incredible chin, and Itauma tired as the fight wore on, with his technique deserting him and his legs growing wobbly. And Hrgovic capitalised by pouring on punches, leading Itauma’s coach Ben Davison to throw in the towel.
Follow live updates and results from Itauma vs Hrgovic and the undercard, below.
Reports: Itauma taken to hospital
Reports suggest that Itauma has been taken to hospital, possibly for treatment on his leg injury.
The stoppage in photos
Frank Warren on what’s next for Hrgovic
Hrgovic calls for a fight in Croatia, which Warren says he will try to make happen.
The promoter also says Frank Sanchez should be next for Hrgovic, because he was paid step-aside money to allow this fight tonight.
But Hrgovic says he wants unification fights – and he’s joined in the ring by WBC champ Agit Kabayel, who calls for a bout between them.
Frank Warren says Itauma suffered leg injury
Itauma’s promoter says Itauma suffered a leg injury. That would explain the reported use of the stretcher – as well as Moses’s wincing in the late rounds, and a reduced mobility.
Reports: Itauma taken out on stretcher
There are reports that Itauma was taken out on a stretcher; with so many bodies in front of us, I did not see that – so it’s just a ‘reportedly’ from me at the moment.
More from Hrgovic
“He’s an amazing fighter, he’s one of a kind. But he needs more experience, he gassed out.
“I knew I was losing rounds, but I knew that I held that pace in my favour.
“From the first round, I saw he was gassing out.”
Hrgovic speaks
Hrgovic: “It was not me tonight, it was Jesus Christ in me.
“I was losing every round, I was outboxed, and I don’t know from where I got energy in that… 10th round?”
The ninth!
“It was really not my strength, it was the holy spirit.”
What did we just see???
Itauma gassed himself out. His technique completely deserted him.
Hrgovic’s chin won out, as he survived the Briton’s best shots and poured it on when it mattered.
Ben Davison, in Itauma’s corner, has thrown in a few towels in his career and he did so here.
Itauma looked more tired than hurt, but I understand the decision of course.
Hrgovic stops Itauma!!!!!
Round nine
Has Itauma got his breath back? It seems not, and Hrgovic starts fast! He’s getting after Moses!
Itauma with a laboured one-two. Now a great counter cross, though!
Hrgovic backs him up to the ropes and lets his hands go, however! Moses is swinging wildly! He eats a cross. He’s staggering tiredly. Hrgovic skips forward and lands a left hook.
A chopping right cross… He walks onto a one-two, but he eats it well!
Itauma’s hands are down! His technique has deserted him, he winces again. He wobbles onto the ropes…!!
Hrgovic is landing crosses at will! Hrgovic nearly goes over the rope…
Ben Davison has the towel in hand…. IT’S IN! IT’S OVER!
