Moses Itauma suffered his first professional defeat, losing a bruising heavyweight world title fight to Filip Hrgović by a round-nine stoppage, according to reports by RTÉ, BBC, and Sky News.
Hrgović Capitalizes as Itauma Punches Out
According to BBC and Sky Sports reporting, Moses Itauma entered the bout with an unbeaten record of 14 wins and 12 knockouts. However, Filip Hrgović, standing at 34 years old, weathered the early storm and capitalized on Itauma’s exhaustion as the fight progressed into the championship rounds. By round nine, according to RTÉ.ie, the accumulated damage and fatigue forced the referee to halt the contest, handing Itauma his maiden professional loss and elevating Hrgović’s record to 20-1.
The Road to the Vacant IBF Belt
According to The Independent, the IBF heavyweight title fight was finalized after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the unified belts. Before the matchup, Itauma had been ordered to negotiate with Frank Sanchez for the vacant championship, but the Cuban stepped aside to allow the London showdown after a financial agreement was reached, as detailed by Queensberry Promotions’ Frank Warren. Itauma, who turned professional after signing with Warren at age 16, missed out on the opportunity to become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. Meanwhile, Hrgović secured his third victory following his sole professional defeat against Daniel Dubois in 2024, continuing a streak that includes wins over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye, and Dave Allen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the heavyweight title fight between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgović?
According to Sky News and RTÉ, Filip Hrgović defeated Moses Itauma by a round-nine stoppage to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
What was Moses Itauma’s record before the fight?
According to The Independent, Moses Itauma entered the bout with an undefeated record of 14-0, featuring 12 knockouts.
Why was the IBF heavyweight title vacant?
According to Independent reporting, the IBF belt became available following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the unified heavyweight titles.
