LONDON – Social media erupted after Moses Itauma was stopped in the ninth round by Filip Hrgovic on Saturday and Itauma’s world changed overnight. He is now 14-1 (12 KOs), and I’ve seen talk about hype trains being derailed, asking whether the 21-year-old should retire and comments that “Itauma is already done at high levels.”
Let’s take a more measured look at what happens next, and why Saturday night went the way it did.
Where did it go wrong?
The eighth appeared to be the most pivotal. While there were signs beforehand that Itauma was feeling the pace, he invested an awful lot into the eighth and – with hindsight – he pretty much emptied the tank. The eighth might have been his biggest round, aside from the second-round knockdown. He was really troubling Hrgovic to the body and it seemed the big Croat could be on his way out. But Hrgovic weathered the storm and started the ninth with a startling freshness that an exhausted Itauma couldn’t match.
Can Moses Itauma still be a world champion?
Undoubtedly. We wanted to see him tested for a reason, and to see the kind of resolve he had. And he showed us plenty of courage and spirit to finish the fight on his feet. Of course, lessons must be learned, but I have no doubt they will be. Part of the fact that Itauma reads a lot for his own enjoyment shows he is keen to learn, and no doubt he will be trying to work out how to fix what went wrong. But Hrgovic insists Itauma is a world champion in waiting, as too does David Haye. Remember, he had a similar experience in defeat to Carl Thompson and had to rebuild. He did that. He didn’t change teams. And Itauma is only 21.
If they had a rematch, what would happen?
There is no rematch clause, but if they had an immediate rematch in a few months, I’d favour Hrgovic. If Itauma had a couple of fights and went rounds, got the experience he needs and learned to pace the rounds, then I’d lean towards Moses.
What does it say about the culture of boxing?
Well, for the sake of balance, I have seen plenty who are quick to make sure Itauma is not written off. But goodness me, the landscape can be toxic. On Facebook, I saw a post asking whether Itauma should retire. In one comments section, I saw one that started, “Itauma is already done at high levels…” and I’ve seen many say that he is a spent bullet because he can’t go 10 or 12 rounds. How people think a 21-year-old can’t get the fitness in the future to do 12 rounds is beyond me. If he was a nervous fighter, who clearly invested a lot of energy in his emotions and controlling the fear you get on fight night, I’d understand it. But he can improve his gas tank. He can also learn to pace himself, not to load up on every shot, how to hold and become a ring general without being a destroyer.
What is the damage?
On the night, I thought it was a far more grave and shattering outcome than I do now I’ve had time to digest it. That was probably seeing him reeling around the ring a few feet from me, unable to protect himself as Hrgovic hacked away at him. I liked the video he put out. “Fucking good fight,” Itauma called it, before saying he wanted to get back in there and get back to work.
Sure, there is work to do, psychologically and physically, but nothing that is unattainable. If his lights had been turned out by one more huge shot, maybe things would have been different. But we had questions about him before, and no one is saying anything about his heart or courage under fire.
Don’t get me wrong. These days are not going to be easy for Moses. But one day, he might well look back on this aftermath and believe it’s the making of him.
What does it mean for boxing?
I mentioned pre-fight how Moses was starting to ‘blow up.’ DAZN certainly would have wanted him to win, and so did Queensberry. Frank Warren made no secret of that. But the fact that he lost is not the end of the world and, a glance online at some of the astronomical numbers going up on YouTube and socials shows plenty of people are paying attention. And when you look at the heavyweight division, it opens it all right up. I’d like to see Hrgovic against Sanchez, Kabayel, Dubois again, and Wardley. And I’m fascinated to see what happens next for Itauma. What happened on Saturday was not catastrophic for the sport.
Who deserves the blame?
