Itauma breaks silence after first defeat, hospitalisation

British heavyweight boxer Moses Itauma has spoken out after suffering his first defeat in professional boxing and being hospitalized following his IBF heavyweight title fight against Filip Hrgovic. The 21-year-old was taken to the hospital as a precaution due to exhaustion during Saturday night’s match at London’s O2 Arena, where Hrgovic stopped him in the ninth round.

Itauma was released from the hospital early Sunday and posted a video message reflecting on the loss, acknowledging that "yesterday was not my night" and praising his fans for making the fight more electrifying than expected. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and organizers, DAZN and Queensberry, for putting on the event.

Itauma's defeat ended his unbeaten professional record, bringing his win-loss tally to 14-1. His manager, Frank Warren, will now focus on rebuilding the young heavyweight's career. Despite the setback, former world champion Tyson Fury downplayed the significance of Itauma's first loss, stating that adversity is an inherent part of the sport.