Filip Hrgović scripted one of the most dramatic comebacks of the heavyweight division’s modern era on Saturday night, weathering an early onslaught and a second-round knockdown before stopping British prodigy Moses Itauma in the ninth round at London’s O2 Arena.
With the victory, the 34-year-old Croatian captured the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Title, writing his name in the history books as the first world heavyweight champion from Croatia.
The 21 year old Itauma entered the ring looking to break Mike Tyson’s 40 year old record as the youngest heavyweight world champion in history. Early on, it looked as though destiny was on the young Briton’s side.
Itauma’s rapid hand speed and crisp southpaw counters dominated the opening frames. In Round 2, a sharp short right hook caught Hrgović flush, sending the veteran to the canvas for an eight-count. Despite an opening cut above his eye and taking heavy body-head combinations through the mid-rounds, Hrgović (22-1, 14 KOs) marched forward continuously with a granite-like chin and relentless pressure.
Having never boxed past six rounds prior to Saturday, Itauma began showing signs of severe fatigue in the seventh and eighth rounds as Hrgović upped the pace.
In the ninth, the Croatian unleashed a barrage of heavy unanswered power shots, trapping an exhausted Itauma against the ropes. As the referee stepped in to halt the action, trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel from Itauma’s corner to save his fighter from further punishment.
”I was losing every round. I was outboxed. And I don’t know from where I got energy in that ninth round… He’s an amazing fighter. I’m the present and he’s definitely the future.” – Filip Hrgović, IBF Heavyweight World Champion With the title in hand, Hrgović expressed immediate interest in a unification bout, eyeing a rematch with WBO champion Daniel Dubois or a clash with WBC titleholder Agit Kabayel.