Moses Itauma recuperates after hospital visit following heavy loss
Moses Itauma has been given the all-clear and is now recuperating at home with his family after a precautionary trip to hospital, reports BritPanorama.
The 21-year-old from Chatham was stretchered from the ring at The O2 Arena on Saturday evening following his ninth-round stoppage loss to Filip Hrgovic in their vacant IBF heavyweight title contest.
The young fighter’s departure on a stretcher prompted immediate concern, but he was discharged after medical checks confirmed no serious issues.
“Moses has gone to the hospital for a check-up,” promoter Frank Warren confirmed. “It’s precautionary that he’s gone to the hospital. That’s what we always do to make sure, because the most important thing is the boxer’s health.”
Itauma had entered the bout unbeaten in 14 professional fights, with ambitions of becoming the second youngest heavyweight world champion in history behind Mike Tyson. The contest had been billed as “Witness History,” and Itauma appeared destined to deliver on that promise during a blistering opening.
He controlled every round through the first half of the bout, flooring Hrgovic with a knockdown in the second and unleashing a sustained assault of heavy shots across seven rounds. Yet the experienced 34-year-old Croatian refused to buckle, absorbing everything the young Briton threw at him.
Having never previously been taken beyond the sixth round in his career, Itauma’s energy reserves ran dry as the eighth round unfolded. Hrgovic seized his moment, and by the ninth, Itauma could barely remain upright, swinging without accuracy as he lurched around the ring. Trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel at the same moment referee Howard Foster moved to halt proceedings.
Warren revealed that Itauma had sustained a leg injury during the contest, compounding his exhaustion. “He’s done something to his leg as well and he was quite tired. It was a high-paced, fast fight for both the guys,” the promoter explained.
The veteran promoter acknowledged uncertainty over when — or indeed whether — Itauma would return to the ring. “I don’t know what he’s going to say. I’m sure he’s a fighting man,” Warren said. He also expressed concern about the psychological toll of the defeat. “I don’t even know how he feels mentally. Mentally, he’s going to be completely down. We’re going to have to talk to him and lift him and see what he’s like.”
Warren ruled out any immediate discussions about next steps. “It’s going to take some time. He’s going to have a nice break. It’s not even the time to talk about it with him at the moment. It’s something we’re probably doing in two weeks or even a month’s time, see where we go with it.”
Hrgovic’s triumph made him Croatia’s first ever heavyweight world champion, a milestone the 34-year-old could scarcely comprehend. “I can’t believe it’s happening,” he said. “My head is ringing from everything. It will take time for my feelings to settle.”
The new champion described the victory as a divine gift. “God gave me the best possible gift to fight to win a world title against the best guy in the division. The most talented guy in the division. There is no better way for me to become a world champion.”
His reign will face an immediate test, however. The IBF’s mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez — who accepted step-aside money to allow the Itauma bout to take place — must now be accommodated in Hrgovic’s first title defence.
In the world of boxing, it often mirrors life: potential meets reality with unpredictable results. Itauma’s setback serves as a stark reminder of the thin line between triumph and tribulation in the ring.
