British boxer Moses Itauma was hospitalized after being stopped by Filip Hrgovic in a dramatic IBF heavyweight title fight at London’s O2 Arena on August 29, 2026, with Hrgovic urging the 21-year-old to keep fighting despite the defeat.
The 34-year-old Croatian champion overcame a slow start to secure a ninth-round technical knockout against the unbeaten Itauma, who was taken to hospital for precautionary tests following the bout. Hrgovic, who called Itauma the best guy in the division, advised the young Briton to avoid losing confidence and focus on building experience through easier fights.
Hrgovic’s Comeback and Itauma’s Hospitalization
Hrgovic admitted he lost the first eight rounds to Itauma, who entered the fight with 12 knockouts in 14 professional bouts. The Croatian, who had been on the receiving end of a standing eight count early in the fight, turned the tide in the ninth round as Itauma’s energy waned. The referee stopped the bout after Itauma’s corner threw in the towel.
Itauma was taken to hospital for observation, with promoter Frank Warren confirming the boxer was still under observation but expected to be released. Warren described the fight as “high-paced” and noted Itauma had injured his leg. He’s done something to his leg as well and he was quite tired,
Warren said, adding that the precautionary hospital visit was standard practice. He’s still in hospital, still under observation,
Warren said of Itauma. I think they’ll let him out today. They’re just doing the usual tests because he didn’t get there until late. So he got some sleep and they’re just doing what they normally do. He should be okay.
Hrgovic’s Advice to a Young Rival
Hrgovic praised Itauma’s talent but criticized his approach, calling the 21-year-old’s late-round brawling “stupid” and a sign of inexperience. He’s an amazing fighter, but he’s still young,
Hrgovic said, urging Itauma to get a few easy fights, easy wins to rebuild confidence. The Croat also noted Itauma’s lack of power, advising him to sit more on his punches to compete at the highest level. “He needs to work on his power to sit more on his punches. When he knocked me down [in the second round] I wasn’t hurt. I just didn’t see the punches coming. But he needs to pace himself. He needs to adjust a little bit to professional boxing. He’s definitely an amazing talent, and I believe he’ll be world champion for sure. But he needs more time.”
Hrgovic, who called Itauma the most talented guy in the division, said the young Briton needs more experience but predicted he would eventually become a world champion. He’s an amazing fighter, I want to thank him for accepting this fight, to give me a chance to become a new star in the heavyweight division. I am the present, and he is definitely the future,
Hrgovic said.
The Fight’s Turning Point
The fight began with Itauma dominating early, landing powerful punches that forced Hrgovic to defend aggressively. By the ninth, Itauma’s pace slowed, and Hrgovic seized the opportunity to overwhelm him with a flurry of punches. Itauma left the ring on a stretcher after the stoppage, with Warren stating the boxer had “some sleep” in the hospital. Warren noted Itauma’s fatigue, calling it a fast, high-paced fight for both guys.
Itauma’s early rounds saw him land a stunning uppercut as the bell sounded to end the fifth round, but Hrgovic managed to recover. The Croatian also faced a standing eight count early in the fight, though he continued to absorb Itauma’s assaults. In the sixth round, Itauma pounded Hrgovic late in the frame, but the Croatian’s resilience kept him in the fight. By the ninth, Itauma’s energy had waned, allowing Hrgovic to capitalize on his opponent’s exhaustion.
Hrgovic’s Next Steps
Hrgovic expressed a desire to unify the heavyweight division by facing WBC champion Agit Kabayel, who stepped into the ring to congratulate the new champion, but promoter Frank Warren quickly dismissed the idea, stating that Hrgovic must fight Frank Sanchez next. The Croat, who described his victory as the best possible gift, emphasized his resilience, saying, God tested me many times, and I endure everything.
Despite the win, Hrgovic acknowledged the challenge posed by Itauma, calling him “one of a kind” and the best he’d been in the ring with. The fight, which saw Hrgovic become Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion, marked a pivotal moment in both fighters’ careers. There is no better way for me to become a world champion,
Hrgovic said, than against the best guy in the division, the most talented guy in the division.
Itauma, who had previously been described as “amazing” and the most talented guy in the division
by Hrgovic, left the ring on a stretcher after the stoppage. Warren confirmed that Itauma had been given oxygen during the fight and was still under medical observation. That’s what we always do, because the most important thing is the boxer’s health,
Warren said, adding that Itauma had done something to his leg and was quite tired.
