Moses Itauma Takes Responsibility for Hrgovic Defeat

Chatham, England, UK - Moses Itauma 14-1 (12 KOs) says he takes full responsibility for his defeat to Filip Hrgovic, with promoter Frank Warren planning a January return for the 21-year-old heavyweight.

Speaking to The Ring at a gym opening in Chatham, Itauma admitted he is still coming to terms with the ninth-round stoppage at The O2 on August 29, when Hrgovic won the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

He has watched the fight back two or three times. It still frustrates him.

“I tried my best and I fell short to the more experienced man,” Itauma said.

Credit for Hrgovic

Itauma credited Hrgovic 21-1 (16 KOs) with taking punches he believes would have finished other heavyweights. He kept looking for the breakthrough, but the Croatian kept coming.

“We kept trying, we kept trying, we kept trying until, yeah, my body kind of gave up on me,” he said.

There was no attempt to pin the result on his corner. Asked about criticism of Ben Davison and Lee Wylie, Itauma backed the relationship he has with his trainers and said outside opinions would not change that.

“All I've got to say is I take full responsibility for that fight.”

January return planned

Warren has said Itauma will return in January, with an opponent announcement expected in the coming weeks. Itauma left those details to his promoter and management when asked by The Ring.

For now, he remains disappointed rather than discouraged. At 21, another title opportunity is still the ambition. The next opponent and date await announcement.