Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic ended Moses Itauma's dream of becoming the second youngest world heavyweight champion at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
The 34-year-old claimed the IBF world heavyweight title after Itauma's corner threw in the white towel during the ninth round of a contest that proved dark for British boxing but dazzling for Croatia's national hero.
Itauma, 21, had entered the ring seeking to emulate Mike Tyson's historical feat as a young champion, having previously felled opponent giants like saplings. However, his aura of invincibility crumbled as he was likened to Samson losing his mythological strength after a haircut.
Following his triumph, Hrgovic delivered a devastating verdict on the young prospect's primary weapon. "No, I didn't feel his power," Hrgovic declared, adding another severe blow to the hype surrounding Britain's fallen prodigy.
The claim will hurt Itauma even more than the punches that sent him reeling from early domination to defeat and a hospital admission. Power had been Itauma's signature attribute, yet Hrgovic weathered eight rounds of heavy shots that looked capable of knocking out a horse.
Hrgovic survives knockdown and questions stamina
Itauma did manage a flash knockdown in the second round, but Hrgovic quickly brushed off the incident after rising from the canvas. "I didn't feel it," Hrgovic said. "He is very fast and caught me off balance with a punch I didn't see."
Hrgovic demonstrated superhuman heart and a phenomenal chin to realise his lifelong ambition of global glory at the age of 34. In contrast, Itauma gassed out the first time in his career he was required to box beyond six rounds.
The defeat leaves trainer Ben Davison under inquisition regarding whether a presumption of another early knockout left Itauma short on stamina, or if the young fighter simply punched himself out trying to finish his opponent.
By the fifth round, Itauma was beginning to grimace at the physical demands and the heavy hits he was receiving. In the eighth round, he launched a desperate assault, but Hrgovic rode out the storm and inflicted heavy damage of his own.
Corner throws in towel as experience prevails
Hrgovic revealed after the fight that he had promised to "smash the kid's face and send him back to high school," a threat he ultimately fulfilled as his professional experience proved decisive.
"He is a tremendous talent but he boxed like an amateur and must learn to fight like a professional," Hrgovic said of Itauma. "With more experience he would have known he was winning every round and what he should have done was box out the fight to a points decision behind his jab. Not keep trying to knock me out. Although I did know he would tire the longer the fight went."
Itauma prodded out a few punches at the start of the ninth round but looked like a fish floundering out of water. Hrgovic then speared him with what he described as "strength which came from Jesus Christ," prompting the white towel to flutter in from Itauma's corner.
Itauma went home from hospital the morning after his downfall to begin recuperation from the physical battering and a leg injury sustained while reeling against the ropes. While psychological wounds will take time to heal, ring legends Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Lennox Lewis all suffered early defeats before returning to win world championships.
Future fight plans and promoter response
Hrgovic offered encouraging words as he prepared to return home to a hero's welcome in Zagreb, advising Itauma to take "several easier fights to gain more experience and rebuild his confidence." Hrgovic added, "And I do think that with his speed of hand he will become a world champion one day."
Promoter Frank Warren expressed sympathy for his young fighter while planning the road ahead. "A first defeat does take away that aura of invincibility and we will give Moses the time it takes to recover from that," Warren said. "He is still a very special talent."
Warren also announced that heavyweight action will return to the O2 on October 17 for a WBO world-title rematch between champion Daniel Dubois and white-collar graduate Fabio Wardley in another Battle of Britain.
Hrgovic plans to make his first IBF title defence against Cuba's mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, declaring, "I want to go on to a title unification fight against Daniel." Meanwhile, boxing observers remain hopeful that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will finalise a November showdown in London or New York.
As Itauma begins his long journey back from the rear of the contender queue, one certainty remains from Saturday night. Had the original Iron Mike Tyson landed just one of the punches Hrgovic absorbed, the Croatian would have been knocked out cold.
