Filip Hrgovic Comes-From-Behind to Finish Moses Itauma in 9th Round

Filip Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs) won the vacant IBF heavyweight world championship in dramatic fashion on Saturday as he came-from-behind to finish Moses Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) in the ninth round at the O2 Arena in London.

Had Itauma won then he’d have become the youngest heavyweight world titleholder since Mike Tyson. And much was expected of the young puncher considering his recent knockouts of Mariusz Wach, Dillian Whyte, and Jermaine Franklin.

The 21-year-old started in fine form, too, showcasing blistering combinations of punches. He even scored a knockdown in the second round, winning subsequent rounds by beating Hrgovic to the punch, and opening a cut in the fourth.

Itauma scored with his jab, thundered a nasty uppercut onto Hrgovic at the end of the fifth, and landed with uppercuts, too. The tide, though, started to turn in the eighth round. Itauma looked tired after another attempt to put the teak-tough Hrgovic away for good.

Hrgovic responded in the ninth at a time in which Itauma could barely keep himself standing from exhaustion. The referee, Howard Foster, had little choice but to withdraw the Brit from the contest, awarding Hrgovic the surprise win by technical knockout.

“I was losing every round, I was being outboxed. I don’t know from where I got the energy,” said Hrgovic. “He’s the best I’ve been in the ring with but he needs more experience. He gassed out.”

Itauma needed help from half a dozen officials after the fight. Medical professionals then lifted him out of the ring. His promoter, Frank Warren, said he suffered a leg injury.

Itauma vs Hrgovic Main Card Results:

Filip Hrgovic def. Moses Itauma via TKO – Round 9, 2:27

Sam Noakes def. Denys Berinchyk via Decision (Unanimous) (98-92, 100-90, 99-91)

Constantin Ursu def. Ben Vaughan via TKO – Round 8, 0:03

Guido Vianello and Moses Jolly DRAW (76-76)

Nelson Hysa def. Thomas Narmo via TKO – Round 2, 0:36