Filip Hrgovic defeats Moses Itauma in London to become first Croatian heavyweight boxing champion

London (AP) — Filip Hrgovic halted Moses Itauma in the ninth round to claim the vacant IBF heavyweight world title and mark his first victory, delivering Britain's 21-year-old boxer his first defeat on Saturday.

Itauma's corner resorted to throwing in the towel as the 34-year-old Croatian struggled against the ropes, making Hrgovic the first heavyweight champion from Croatia. The 21-year-old British fighter had never gone beyond the sixth round in his first 14 professional bouts and showed visible fatigue after dominating the initial rounds.

Hrgovic and Itauma traded punches in the eighth and ninth rounds, with the latter's formidable chin ultimately prevailing. Itauma sought to become the youngest heavyweight champion since a 20-year-old Mike Tyson defeated Trevor Berbick in 1986.