Everything you need to know after Filip Hrgovic stopped Moses Itauma in the ninth round to win the vacant IBF world heavyweight title.
Result
Itauma was attempting to become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion in Boxing history.
The 21-year-old controlled the majority of the fight and also scored a second-round knockdown.
But he was unable to finish off a resilient Hrgovic who displayed a granite chin to stay in the contest.
The relentless nature of Itauma's performance eventually caught up with him in the ninth round as he punched himself out of the fight.
With Itauma swaying wildly and being unable to stand, his corner threw in the towel as referee waved the bout off.
Hrgovic became Croatia's first heavyweight world champion, while an exhausted Itauma, who will have his chance again in the future, left the ring on a stretcher.
Post-Fight Reaction
Filip Hrgovic
"Is the chin important? Chin is important.
"To give me a chance to become a new superstar in the heavyweight division. I am the present. He is definitely the future.
"He is the best I have been in the ring with, but he needs more experience. I knew I was losing the round, but I knew that I had pace in my favour.
"From the first round, I saw him gassing out. He started fast. I knew when my chance came, I needed to push. That is what I did."
Frank Warren
"This was an unbelievable fight tonight. The champ prevailed and did what he had to do.
"Moses gave everything, he has a leg injury. He has to go back to the drawing board and he can come again.
"Towards the end, Moses wasn't trying to hold or anything he was throwing punches and he got clipped. He started off well and what happened, happened. It was a great fight."
Tony Bellew
"Filip did amazing to ride through the storm! I’ll say this now! Moses Itauma will be world champion!
"He will learn so much from tonight. The biggest thing I’ll take from tonight is just how brave and tough Moses was, we knew Filip was super tough.
"Tonight we learned Moses is also tough, once he learns to pace a 12-round bout, he’s gonna rule for a while! Filip Hrgovic’s chin needs to studied."
Odds vs Result
Itauma was installed as the odds-on 1/8 favourite to beat Hrgovic, meaning there was a near 89% implied probability of the British boxer winning the fight.
Hrogic was the pre-fight underdog to win the fight at 11/2.
Punch Statistics
Moses Itauma | Filip Hrgovic | |
172 | Jabs Thrown | 171 |
39 | Jabs Landed | 26 |
244 | Power Thrown | 175 |
124 | Power Landed | 64 |
416 | Punches Thrown | 346 |
163 | Punches Landed | 90 |
Fight Earnings
It is estimated that Itauma has picked up £1.5 million for his clash against Hrgovic.
The Croatian's cut of the purse is less than that of his opponent's, although he has still secured a reported £700,000.
Undercard results
- Filip Hrgovic def. Moses Itauma by TKO (R9)
- Sam Noakes def. Dennis Berinchyk by unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 98-92)
- Nelson Hysa def. Thomas Narmo by knockout (R2)
- Constantin Ursu def. Ben Vaughan by TKO (R8)
- Moses Jolly and Guido Vianello draw (76-76)
