Filip Hrgovic stops Moses Itauma in ninth-round IBF title fight

Filip Hrgovic stopped Moses Itauma in the ninth round of their vacant IBF heavyweight title fight at London's O2 Arena on Saturday. Itauma's team threw in the towel as the Croatian increased the pressure, ending the 21-year-old Briton's unbeaten start to his professional career, BBC Sport reported.

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Itauma entered the contest having won each of his first 14 professional bouts and was attempting to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion. He was the pre-fight favourite and made the faster start, with BBC Sport reporting that Hrgovic struggled to match his pace during the early stages of the contest.

The balance shifted as the fight continued. Itauma appeared to tire after his early output, while the more experienced Hrgovic remained durable and began to take control. By the ninth round, Itauma was barely able to stand as Hrgovic pressed forward, prompting the British boxer's corner to stop the contest.

Itauma left the arena on a stretcher and was taken to hospital. He was released overnight after undergoing precautionary medical checks, according to the BBC report. In a subsequent social-media statement, Itauma congratulated Hrgovic, acknowledged that his opponent's greater experience had told and said the defeat had given him experience for future fights.

The result delivered the vacant world title to 34-year-old Hrgovic. His only previous professional defeat had come against Daniel Dubois in 2024, and his ability to withstand Itauma's fast opening proved important before the momentum changed later in the contest. For Itauma, the loss ended the perfect record with which he had arrived at his first world-title opportunity.

Queensberry Promotions head Frank Warren said afterward that Itauma remains an exceptional talent but needs to develop more ring craft and move away from trying to knock out every opponent. Warren also confirmed that his promotional team would continue to support the heavyweight. Itauma, meanwhile, indicated that he plans to return after falling short in his attempt to win the IBF belt.