Moses Itauma: 'I'll be back' after world-title defeat to Filip Hrgovic

Moses Itauma vowed "I'll be back" after failing in his attempt to become the second-youngest ever heavyweight world champion on Saturday when he lost to Filip Hrgovic at the O2 Arena in London in a fight for the vacant IBF title.

Britain's Itauma, 21, had torn through his first 14 opponents before stepping up for the world-title shot, while Hrgovic, 34, went into the contest having lost only one professional fight, to Daniel Dubois in 2024. Hrgovic is described as having durability, but he struggled to keep pace with Itauma in the early rounds.

The contest ended when Itauma's team threw in the towel in the ninth round after he appeared to punch himself out; he was barely able to stand as Hrgovic applied pressure to bring the fight to a close. The towel stoppage handed Hrgovic the victory and the vacant IBF title.

Itauma was removed from the arena on a stretcher and taken to hospital, where he was released overnight after precautionary medical checks.

Reflecting on the defeat on social media, Itauma said: "It wasn't my night, we attempted greatness and just fell short to the more experienced man," "I want to say congratulations to Filip Hrgovic on his win. And although I never reached my desired outcome, I believe I gained experience that I'll take to my future fights. "God bless, take care and I'll be back."

Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren urged a tactical rethink for Itauma, saying: "That aura of invincibility, at the moment, is gone," "People will look at that and maybe it will make it easier to make fights for him. "He's still one of the most unbelievable talents I've ever been involved with. We'll stick with him. He needs a bit more ring craft and needs to stop thinking about knocking everyone out."

Warren's comments and Itauma's vow point to a continuation of the boxer's career with an emphasis on technical development rather than immediate retirement.