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Itauma loses first fight as Hrgovic takes IBF heavyweight title

Moses Itauma suffered the first defeat of his career on Saturday, with his corner throwing in the towel in round nine against Filip Hrgovic, who claimed the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

  • Itauma, 21, was beaten for the first time as Hrgovic collected the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
  • Hrgovic became Croatia's first-ever world heavyweight champion.
  • Itauma was taken to hospital after sustaining a leg injury.

Moses Itauma suffered the first loss of his career on Saturday, as he was stunned by Filip Hrgovic in a world heavyweight title thriller at London's O2 Arena.

Itauma, 21, was aiming to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion ever – only after Mike Tyson – but his corner threw in the towel in round nine to end that dream.

Hrgovic, 34, survived Itauma's best shots before turning the tide to collect the vacant IBF belt, becoming Croatia's first-ever world heavyweight champion.

Itauma tired as the fight wore on, with his technique deserting him and his legs growing wobbly. Hrgovic capitalised by pouring on punches, leading Itauma's coach Ben Davison to throw in the towel.

Itauma was then removed from the ringside area on a stretcher, with promoter Frank Warren saying the young fighter had sustained a leg injury. Itauma was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Hrgovic said in the ring: "It was not me tonight, it was Jesus Christ in me," dedicating the victory to his daughter and late father. He added: "I was losing every round, I was outboxed, and I don't know from where I got energy in that... 10th [ninth] round? It was really not my strength, it was the holy spirit."

Warren, who also promotes Hrgovic, told DAZN that Frank Sanchez would possibly be next for Hrgovic, given he was paid step-aside money to enable Saturday's main event. However, Hrgovic called for a unification bout and spoke to WBC champion Agit Kabayel in the ring.

Why this matters: The result ends Itauma's unbeaten record and marks a significant moment for Croatian boxing, with Hrgovic becoming the country's first world heavyweight champion.

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