Filip Hrgovic wins IBF heavyweight title with TKO of Moses Itauma

Filip Hrgovic captured the vacant IBF heavyweight world title by defeating Moses Itauma via a ninth-round technical knockout at the O2 Arena in London. Despite Itauma dominating the early rounds and scoring a knockdown in the second, he suffered from exhaustion after attempting to force a knockout. Hrgovic capitalized on Itauma’s fatigue to secure the stoppage, making him the first Croatian heavyweight world champion.

Following the match, Itauma was taken from the ring on a stretcher and briefly hospitalized as a precaution, though he was released shortly after. The 21-year-old prospect has already expressed a desire for an immediate rematch, but his promoter, Frank Warren, has advised him to rest and take one or two developmental fights before returning to title contention.

The victory has created a regulatory dispute regarding the next mandatory defense. While Hrgovic expressed interest in unification bouts against fighters like Daniel Dubois or Agito Kabayela, the mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez maintains that IBF rules require him to be the next opponent. Sanchez noted that he had previously accepted a fee to step aside to allow the Itauma-Hrgovic bout to proceed, ensuring his position as the next challenger.