{"id":875648,"date":"2026-09-01T01:30:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T01:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/875648\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T01:30:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T01:30:18","slug":"filip-hrgovic-pinpoints-where-moses-itauma-went-wrong-and-offers-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/875648\/","title":{"rendered":"Filip Hrgovic Pinpoints Where Moses Itauma Went Wrong and Offers Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Filip Hrgovic flipped the script on what was supposed to be a night of history for Moses Itauma and toppled the heavyweight phenom<\/a> to claim the vacant IBF title and make history of his own as the first heavyweight champion ever from Croatia. <\/p>\n

For the first eight rounds, it looked as though Itauma was in for another sensational knockout win, dropping the Croatian in the second round with a flash lead hook that forced Hrgovic to drop a single glove to the canvas. <\/p>\n

Itauma was thoroughly outboxing Hrgovic, landing straight lefts, uppercuts, and hooks to the head and body with blinding speed and power. \u2018El Animal\u2019 looked at sea and was destined for an early night, but his otherworldly chin and educated jab kept him in the fight long enough to watch Itauma slowly tire from pursuing the knockout punch. <\/p>\n

\"Moses<\/p>\n

Moses Itauma | IMAGO \/ PA Images<\/p>\n

As the ninth round began, Hrgovic rose from his stool early and walked out to the middle of the ring whilst Itauma struggled to meet the bell \u2013 looking completely exhausted and was eventually incapable of defending himself from the relentlessly advancing Hrgovic. The referee stepped in just before Ben Davison could throw in the towel. <\/p>\n

Itauma was stretchered out of the O2 Arena, which Frank Warren revealed at the post-fight press conference was due to an injury sustained to his leg that meant he could not stand or walk. He has since released a statement and seems otherwise healthy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hrgovic\u2019s message to Itauma<\/p>\n

At the post-fight press conference, Hrgovic emerged battered and bruised, but with the iconic bright red IBF title and was quick to admit that Itauma was something special and that he was anticipating a much easier night against the inexperience of the Brit. <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was going to be easier. I didn\u2019t know he was so good,\u201d Hrgovic told the press. \u201cHe\u2019s very fast; honestly, I\u2019ve never been in the ring with someone like him \u2013 but he is inexperienced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw from the first round he was breathing hard; he was throwing too much, he was fighting like an amateur. I knew I needed to endure, I needed to stay there, and he will get tired and I will get him in the later rounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Relive the last 90 seconds of an absolute WAR \ud83d\ude24#MosesHrgovic<\/a> \ud83e\udd33 pic.twitter.com\/YVdJChX1nV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hrgovic made an interesting diagnosis of the biggest problem that he believes Itauma had \u2013 that he still has not fully transitioned into a professional fighter. <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI did not feel the power, I felt the quickness.\u201d Hrgovic admitted. \u201cHe did not rock me at any time. He still boxes like an amateur, he\u2019s quick but he needs more power, he can be better if he learns professional style fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n

The newly crowned heavyweight champion then offered Itauma some sage wisdom from a veteran of the sport and a former Olympian. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy advice for him is to not give up, not to lose confidence,\u201d he continued. \u201cGet a few easy fights and a few easy wins to build again and learn from his mistakes. You can\u2019t box like an amateur, it\u2019s a 12-round fight, you need to pace yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank Warren\u2019s verdict and what\u2019s next for Hrgovic<\/p>\n

Warren, despite the agonizing defeat for his young ward, maintained that Itauma is one of the best fighters he\u2019s ever worked with and, just as with another fighter he took under his wing when he was 18, Daniel Dubois, Itauma will be back. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still one of the most unbelievable talents I\u2019ve ever been involved,\u201d Warren stated. We are with him and we will stick with him. Daniel Dubois did the same thing, he came back and now he is world champion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Itauma\u2019s promoter believes that his young phenom needed to be less concerned with ending the fight early and focused on out-boxing Hrgovic, which he was more than capable of doing.<\/p>\n

\"Promoter<\/p>\n

Promoter Frank Warren during a press conference at the Guildhall, London on October 23, 2024. | IMAGO \/ PA Images<\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs a bit more ringcraft, he needs to stop thinking \u2018I\u2019ve got to knock everyone out\u2019,\u201d Warren said. \u201cIt\u2019s all about composure, its about the jab, if you can\u2019t jab you can\u2019t fight, that\u2019s it.\u201d.<\/p>\n

Whilst Hrgovic wasn\u2019t Warren\u2019s choice of victor, as he was happy to admit that he wanted Itauma to win, he does now have a duty to look after his newest of three heavyweight world champions. <\/p>\n

It looks as though Hrgovic will have to defend his belt against IBF mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who took a step aside deal to allow for the fight to happen, but a potential unification fight was not written off by Warren<\/p>\n

\u201cFilip deserved it tonight; he\u2019s done his nation and himself proud,\u201d the Queensberry boss said. \u201cHe\u2019s going to have to defend against Frank Sanchez unless we can get another deal done for unification.\u201d<\/p>\n

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