Hrgović upsets Itauma, becomes first Croatian heavyweight champion

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filip Hrgović bagged the biggest win of his boxing career after pulling off a come-from-behind ninth-round technical knockout victory over Moses Itauma to capture the vacant International Boxing Federation heavyweight world title at the O2 Arena in London on Aug. 30, 2026.

With the massive upset, Hrgović became the first heavyweight champion from Croatia, displaying courage, resilience and a never-say-die attitude in what initially seemed to be a lopsided fight in Itauma’s favor.

Itauma dominated early as the British pugilist outboxed Hrgović with his blurring hand speed, deceptive combinations and well-calculated haymakers that landed at will.

Hrgović failed to gain momentum through the sixth round, absorbing a brutal beating, especially in the second round when Itauma scored the first knockdown of the bout with a flush right hook.

However, Hrgović beat the count but remained shaky and wobbly. Itauma tried to finish the fight by pressing forward and pinning him against the ropes, but the Croatian warrior displayed enough toughness to weather the early storm.

Midway through the seventh round, Hrgović slowly regained his footing after catching Itauma with tricky jabs followed by his signature straight left.

An unexpected turn of events took place in the seventh round when Itauma emptied his gas tank in an attempt to knock out Hrgović.

After unleashing a flurry of straight punches and uppercuts when Hrgović was cornered, Itauma thought he had the right position, but the Croatian star escaped danger and used his footwork to perfection.

Itauma tried another barrage in the final 45 seconds of the seventh round, but Hrgović wisely backpedaled to prevent further damage.

As a result of his knockout attempt, Itauma was visibly gassed entering the eighth round and barely connected with his combinations — a weakness Hrgović exploited.

The coronation was complete at the 2:27 mark of the ninth round after Hrgović found the perfect opening with Itauma against the ropes, punishing him with a series of vicious combinations en route to the TKO victory.

With Itauma struggling to defend himself and trapped against the ropes, referee Howard Foster stepped in and stopped the fight.

Hrgović improved his professional boxing record to 21 wins, including 16 by knockout, and one loss, while Itauma fell to 14 wins, including 12 by knockout, and one loss.