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Itauma vs Hrgovic: Briton punches himself out and is stopped in round nine
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- Filip Hrgovic staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Moses Itauma in a heavyweight title fight in London, with Itauma's team throwing in the towel in the ninth round due to his exhaustion.
- Itauma, 21, had controlled much of the fight early and scored a second-round knockdown but faded as his high pace took a toll on his stamina.
- The vacant IBF heavyweight title was on the line, and a win would have made Itauma the second-youngest world champion in the division's history, but his inexperience showed against the durable Croatian Olympic bronze medallist.
- Hrgovic, who had only one previous professional loss, absorbed Itauma's early pressure and capitalized on the Briton's fatigue to secure a stoppage victory.
- The fight featured a passionate crowd and a heated build-up, with Itauma initially receiving strong support before Hrgovic's resilience turned the tide.
