Moses Itauma is focused on turning his recent defeat into a valuable lesson as he processes the implications of his shocking loss to Filip Hrgovic. The match took place on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London, where Itauma was stopped in the ninth round while contesting for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title.
The young fighter, who is only 21 years old, was on the verge of making history as the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson, who claimed the title at 20 years old in 1986. Itauma initially showcased his skills by knocking Hrgovic down early in the fight and dominating the first eight rounds. However, as the match progressed, he succumbed to exhaustion, allowing Hrgovic to capitalize and ultimately win the title in a dramatic turn of events.
In his first public comments following the fight, which saw him taken out of the ring on a stretcher, Itauma expressed gratitude and respect for his opponent. He acknowledged Hrgovic's experience and vowed to learn from the mistakes made during the bout. "So, yesterday it wasn’t my night. We attempted greatness and we just fell short to the more experienced man. I want to say congratulations to Filip Hrgovic on his win," Itauma stated. He emphasized the importance of the experience gained, stating, "Although I never reached my desired outcome, I believe I gained experience that I’ll take to my future fights."
Itauma also took the opportunity to thank the fans for their support, noting that their presence made the event even more electrifying. He expressed his determination to return to the ring stronger, saying, "It was a f***ing good fight, and I want to thank Queensberry and DAZN for putting this show on. So God bless, take care, and I’ll be back." His record now stands at 14 wins and 1 loss, with 12 of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Filip Hrgovic, now with a record of 21 wins and 1 loss, also commented on Itauma's performance, agreeing with Itauma’s assessment that there is room for growth. The 2016 Olympic bronze medalist remarked that Itauma's approach might have contributed to his defeat, stating, "He fought like an amateur. Honestly, I’ve never been in the ring with someone like him. But he’s inexperienced." Hrgovic noted that Itauma's aggressive style and heavy breathing were evident from the first round, suggesting that a more tactical approach could have led to a different outcome.
Hrgovic further elaborated on his perspective, saying, "He can be better if he learns a professional style of fighting. … Use his legs and box. He was winning all the rounds. He went toe-to-toe with me, and it was a very stupid move from him. Inexperienced. He’s an amazing fighter but he’s still young." This sentiment underscores the challenges that come with early-career fights against seasoned opponents, and it remains to be seen how Itauma will adapt and evolve following this pivotal moment in his boxing journey.
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