Filip Hrgovic Stops Moses Itauma in Nine to Become Croatia's First Heavyweight Champion
Filip Hrgovic stopped Moses Itauma in the ninth round at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday, 29 August 2026, to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title — the first heavyweight world championship won by a fighter from Croatia. (Boxing News 24; WRAL)
The 34-year-old Croat, nicknamed 'El Animal', entered the ring with a 21-1 record. His sole defeat came against Daniel Dubois in a fight stopped because of cuts — Hrgovic was leading on two of the three judges' scorecards at the time. He is also an Olympic bronze medallist, and once went 12 hard rounds with the Chinese contender Zhilei Zhang. (BBC Sport)
Across the corner stood 21-year-old Moses Itauma, carrying a 14-1 record and the backing of bookmakers who installed him as a heavy favourite. Promoted by Frank Warren, Itauma turned professional on 28 January 2023 on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev versus Anthony Yarde at Wembley Arena. As an amateur he had been unbeaten in 24 fights and was a two-time National champion. (BBC Sport; Queensberry Promotions)
Tension spilled over at the weigh-in. Itauma shoved Hrgovic, who responded with a slap. Itauma had said in the build-up that he did not feel he would win a world title unless he knocked out his opponent — a bold claim for a fighter stepping in for his first championship bout. (BBC Sport)
The title at stake, the IBF heavyweight belt, was one of the four major sanctioning-body crowns in boxing and was vacant going into the night. The IBF had confirmed beforehand that the winner must face Cuba's Frank Sanchez within six months, with no intervening bouts permitted. (Yahoo Sports)
For Itauma, the defeat marks the second loss of a professional career still in its early chapters, and a sharp reversal of the odds that had favoured him. For Hrgovic, it is the culmination of a long campaign at the top of the division — a fighter who had been within touching distance before, finally grasping the belt. The first Croatian heavyweight champion now has a mandate to defend it, and a named challenger waiting.
