Moses Itauma's corner threw in the towel in the ninth round as Filip Hrgovic claimed the vacant IBF heavyweight title at the O2 Arena on Saturday night. Itauma was left the arena on a stretcher after the stoppage, suffering his first defeat in 15 professional fights.
For much of the fight, the 21-year-old Briton appeared to be winning rounds with his quicker hand speed and sharper boxing. Yet as the contest progressed, fatigue visibly took hold. Itauma's mouth opened in search of air and the spring drained from his legs, while Hrgovic, hardened by difficult fights the younger fighter had never experienced, simply waited for Itauma's body to betray him.
Itauma, from Chatham, had never sparred 12 rounds before the championship fight and had never gone beyond six rounds professionally. His conditioning appeared inadequate for a world-title bout, raising questions about his preparation. The 34-year-old Hrgovic is an Olympic bronze medallist who had previously gone 12 hard rounds with Zhilei Zhang.
During the eighth round, Itauma threw more punches than in any other round, expending his remaining energy in an effort to stop an opponent who proved exceptionally difficult to remove. Hrgovic later said he had been fighting "like an amateur" and that his strategy was to endure the onslaught and capitalize on Itauma's fatigue.
Itauma displayed considerable qualities that had impressed against lesser opponents, including his hand speed and ability to take a punch. Promoter Frank Warren said Itauma had wanted to knock Hrgovic out early, a mindset that had worked well until now but proved costly against a seasoned heavyweight. Hrgovic registered his 16th stoppage in his 21st win to become Croatia's first heavyweight world champion.