Moses Itauma was denied a place in the history books as he was stopped by Filip Hrgovic at the O2 Arena in London.
Itauma, 21, was looking to become the youngest heavyweight champion since the great Mike Tyson, but he found himself outmatched against the experienced veteran, who becomes Croatia’s maiden heavyweight belt-holder.
Chatham-based Itauma had slaughtered every opponent in his way en route to a face-off with Hrgovic, but the IBF belt was just out of his reach as the youngster looked out on his feet in the capital.
Knockout after knockout had Itauma seen as one of the most dangrous men in the division, but he met his match in the 34-year-old, who produced a scintillating display to snatch the belt.
The young Briton looked for the early stoppage with heavy, energy-inducing swings in the opening exchanges, but they sapped his resources as he ran out of steam, and Hrgovic took full advantage, slamming him with counter-strikes and body shots before the referee stepped in in the penultimate round.
The 21-year-old departed the ring on a stretcher, unable to walk as he departed the arena for hospital, while Hrgovic celebrated a richly-deserved victory that has been a long time in the making.
The Croat, who moves to 20 wins in his 21 professional bouts, emerged victorious for a second successive visit to England, having TKO’d Dave Allen in Doncaster in May earlier this year.
Itauma was the fifth Briton that he had faced in a row, having suffered a first professional defeat to Daniel Dubois in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2024, before overcoming Joe Joyce and David Adeleye en route to Itauma.
Hrgovic surprisingly admitted that he felt that he had been outperformed on the night, dedicating his win to Jesus.
“It was not me tonight, I was losing every round,” he declared strangely.
"I was outboxed. I don't know where I got the energy in that ninth round. It was really not my strength; it was the Holy Spirit.
"I was in the best shape of my life because of him. A perfect camp and perfect fight."
