LONDON : Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic staged a stunning comeback to stop Britain’s Moses Itauma in the ninth round and claim the vacant IBF heavyweight world title at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
Hrgovic, 34, was outboxed for much of the opening eight rounds but capitalised on Itauma’s fading energy in the ninth, forcing the referee to stop the contest after the Briton’s corner threw in the towel.
The victory made Hrgovic Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion.
Itauma entered the bout unbeaten after 14 professional fights, with 12 knockouts, and appeared on course for another stoppage as his fast hands and powerful punches repeatedly found Hrgovic’s head and body.
The 21-year-old was bidding to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion in history behind Mike Tyson, but Hrgovic’s resilience kept him in the fight despite taking a standing eight count early on.
Itauma landed a heavy uppercut as the fifth-round bell sounded and continued to hurt Hrgovic late in the sixth, but his relentless early pace began to take its toll.
As Itauma tired, Hrgovic seized his opportunity in the ninth, driving him onto the ropes and unleashing a barrage of punches before the referee halted the fight as Itauma’s corner threw in the towel.
“He’s an amazing fighter, I want to thank him for accepting this fight, to give me a chance to become a new star in the heavyweight division,” Hrgovic said.
“I am the present, and he is definitely the future.”
Hrgovic said Itauma was the best opponent he had faced but needed more experience.
“He gassed out … I knew that I have that pace in my favour,” he said.
Hrgovic immediately targeted a unification bout with WBC champion Agit Kabayel, who entered the ring to congratulate him.
Promoter Frank Warren, however, said Hrgovic would first have to face Frank Sanchez.
