Hrgovic storms back to defeat Itauma for IBF heavyweight title

Filip Hrgovic secured a controversial victory over Moses Itauma at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night, lifting the latter out of the ring following a stoppage loss. The Croatian heavyweight champion-in-waiting dominated the early rounds, leaving the British boxer exhausted by the eighth. During the ninth, Hrgovic delivered a left hook that effectively ended the contest, causing Itauma to be carried away on a stretcher.

Itauma, known for his early stoppages, had not gone past six rounds in his previous fights. Had he won, he would have become the second-youngest World Heavyweight Champion. Despite the unexpected outcome, Hrgovic expressed gratitude for the opportunity to face the future star and suggested the fight would serve as valuable experience for Itauma.

The victory marked Croatia's first heavyweight world championship, with Hrgovic now eyeing a unification bout with either Daniel Dubois or Agit Kabayel.