Hrgovic stuns Itauma with ninth-round TKO to claim vacant IBF heavyweight title
Hrgovic, an Olympic bronze medallist, knocked out the heavily favored 21-year-old Itauma in the ninth round at London's O2 Arena after trailing on all eight rounds on the judges' cards, capturing the vacant IBF heavyweight crown in a stunning late-round collapse.
Filip Hrgovic defeated Moses Itauma via ninth-round TKO on August 29, 2026, at the O2 Arena in London to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title, according to reporting from CBS Sports, BBC Sport, and Sporting News. The result marked a stunning reversal in a fight where Itauma had dominated the first eight rounds and held a commanding position on the scorecards. Yet in the ninth round, the young champion-in-waiting's legs became unsteady and his body swayed in the corner before Itauma's corner threw in the towel, per BBC Sport's reporting. Hrgovic, an Olympic bronze medallist whose professional record included only one previous loss to Daniel Dubois, capitalized on his opponent's exhaustion. The distance proved decisive. Sporting News's unofficial scorecard after round 8 showed Itauma leading 78-73, yet Hrgovic's pace worn the younger fighter down in the championship rounds. After the fight, Hrgovic said according to BBC Sport: "From the first round, I saw his gassing out. He started fast. I knew he was going to gas out. I knew when my chance came I needed to push. That is what I did." Speaking again to Sporting News, Hrgovic attributed the turnaround to forces beyond his control, stating: "That was not me, that was Jesus Christ. I was losing every round; I was outboxed. I don't know where I got energy in that 10th [ninth] round. It was not my strength; it was the Holy Spirit." Itauma required medical attention and left the arena on a stretcher following the fight, per BBC Sport. Promoter Frank Warren stated that Itauma had suffered a leg injury, though the sources provide no details beyond Warren's statement. Hrgovic also told BBC Sport: "He is the best I have been in the ring with, but he needs more experience. I knew I was losing the round, but I knew that I had the pace in my favour. He needs more experience, but he is one of a kind." Hrgovic has picked up 15 of his 20 professional wins by stoppage. The victory sets him on course to face Cuba's Frank Sanchez, who took step-aside money to allow this fight to proceed, per Sporting News.
Hrgovic won the vacant IBF heavyweight title by TKO in round 9 after losing every round through round 8, exploiting Itauma's fatigue in a fight the younger boxer had never been past six rounds before.
The result exposes a critical gap between Itauma's power and technical skill in shorter bouts versus his ability to sustain output over championship distance. Watch Itauma's recovery timeline and whether he returns to contention, and track whether Hrgovic can defend the IBF belt against Sanchez or faces a unification bout with WBC champion Agit Kabayal, who was present at ringside.
The score is a fact. The story gets checked.
Sources
Also reported by Sports Illustrated, Fights Around The World, BBC, Sidekick Boxing. Independent coverage of the same development, found by search; not this story's sources.
GoCheckMySports reports events. It never advises bets. Nothing here is betting or gambling advice.