Will Queensberry Risk Itauma Against Hrgovic Again?

This was not a loss on the scorecards or the result of one lucky punch. Hrgovic broke him down and stopped him in the ninth round Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena. A clubbing right hand trapped Itauma against the ropes before a straight left sent him sinking. Ben Davison threw in the towel, and referee Howard Foster intervened before Hrgovic could land again.

Itauma remained in distress afterward and was removed from the ring on a stretcher. Frank Warren later attributed that to a leg injury and exhaustion, but the closing sequence still showed a young heavyweight with nothing left when Hrgovic attacked.

“Moses Itauma will come again. He is 21 and he looked sensational at points in that fight. Just needs to work on his gas tank, and get more rounds and experience. I still think he'll win a world title very soon.”