Itauma vs Hrgovic: Briton punches himself out and is stopped in round nine
Heavyweight boxer Filip Hrgovic defeated Moses Itauma in a ninth-round stoppage to claim the vacant IBF title. Itauma, who was a heavy favorite, appeared to exhaust himself early in the fight, allowing the more experienced Hrgovic to capitalize.
Why it matters
The result marks a significant upset in the heavyweight division and highlights the importance of pacing and experience in championship boxing.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Filip Hrgovic has picked up 16 of his 21 wins by stoppage
Filip Hrgovic ripped up the script and shattered Moses Itauma's world-title dream as the Briton appeared to punch himself out in an extraordinary heavyweight contest in London.
Itauma, 21, controlled most of the fight and scored a second-round knockdown but faded as his relentless output caught up with him.
Hrgovic weathered the storm and piled on the pressure in the ninth. With Itauma barely able to stand, his legs unsteady and body swaying before slumping in the corner, his team threw in the towel.
Itauma - who needed medical attention before leaving the arena on a stretcher - had been a heavy favourite after tearing through his first 14 opponents and was spoken about as heavyweight boxing's next superstar.
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