Filip Hrgovic defeats Moses Itauma in London to become heavyweight boxing champion
PUBLISHED Aug 30, 2026, 6:55 PM ET
Filip Hrgovic became Croatia's first heavyweight world champion by stopping previously unbeaten British prodigy Moses Itauma in the ninth round at London's O2 Arena on Saturday [citation:1][citation:3]. The 34-year-old weathered an early storm, surviving a second-round knockdown and absorbing sustained punishment from the 21-year-old Itauma, who had never been beyond six rounds [citation:3][citation:10]. Hrgovic, an Olympic bronze medallist, capitalized as the younger fighter faded from his relentless pace, backing Itauma against the ropes in the ninth with a barrage that prompted his corner to throw in the towel [citation:1][citation:8]. Itauma required medical attention and left the arena on a stretcher but was later released from hospital [citation:8]. "I am the present. He is definitely the future," Hrgovic said [citation:1][citation:10]. He now faces mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez next, though Hrgovic has expressed interest in unification bouts against WBO champion Daniel Dubois or WBC title holder Agit Kabayel [citation:1][citation:5].
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
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Official IBF world title fight ended in ninth-round TKO victory. https://apnews.com/article/itauma-hrgovic-heavyweight-title-ibf-00c15e336038d80487b4da815da88fff
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