Itauma loses unbeaten record to Hrgovic, discharged from hospital

Itauma loses unbeaten record to Hrgovic, discharged from hospital

 

Nigerian-British heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma has returned home after spending a night in hospital following the first defeat of his professional boxing career.

The 21-year-old was taken to hospital for medical checks after Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic stopped him in the ninth round of their vacant IBF heavyweight title bout at The O2 Arena in London.

Itauma, who had built a reputation as one of the most promising young heavyweights in world boxing, was carried from the ring on a stretcher after appearing exhausted and struggling to defend himself in the closing stages of the contest.

His promoter, Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, subsequently confirmed that Itauma had received medical attention and was discharged after doctors completed their assessment.

“Moses is well. He left the hospital last night and, after being checked over, he is now back home with his family,” Queensberry said in a statement.

The defeat brought an abrupt end to Itauma’s unbeaten professional record and came after he had appeared to control much of the fight against the more experienced Hrgovic.

Itauma was reportedly ahead on the judges’ scorecards before the Croatian began to turn the contest around in the later rounds. The British-Nigerian showed increasing signs of fatigue in the eighth round, allowing Hrgovic to step up the pressure.

Referee Howard Foster eventually halted the fight at 2:27 of the ninth round when Itauma was no longer able to adequately defend himself.

There were initial concerns that the young boxer might have suffered a leg injury, with Warren confirming immediately after the bout that Itauma had been taken to hospital.

“Moses has gone to hospital. He has done something to his leg. He did something to his leg and he was exhausted, is the truth of it. It was a very fast-paced fight,” Warren said.

Despite the setback, Warren believes the defeat can serve as an important learning experience for Itauma, who is regarded as a major prospect in the heavyweight division.

“He got caught and the fighting instinct was to stand there and let his shots go,” Warren said.

“That’s what it is at the top level. You have to tick all the boxes. He has got to learn from the fight and will hopefully do that.”

Hrgovic also acknowledged that Itauma had given him a difficult fight before his late surge changed the outcome.

“I was getting outboxed, but somehow I found the energy and the punch to change it all,” the Croatian said.

The 34-year-old praised Itauma as the toughest opponent he had faced, while pointing to the youngster’s lack of experience at the highest level.

“He is the best fighter I have been in with but he needs more experience. He gassed out. I knew I had the pace in my favour. He gassed out but he is one of a kind,” Hrgovic said.

Itauma’s defeat may have ended his perfect record, but his rapid rise and the quality of his performance before fatigue set in are expected to ensure that the setback does not derail his career.

With the young heavyweight now back home recovering with his family, attention will turn to his rehabilitation and how he responds to the first major adversity of his professional career.