LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic exchange punches during their IBF World heavyweight title fight on the Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic: Natural Born Thriller fight night card at The O2 Arena on August 29, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Filip Hrgovic pulled off a massive upset. Hrgovic defeated Moses Itauma via eighth-round technical knockout. Ultimately, Hrgovic’s durability, ring experience, and superior stamina made the difference. Itauma controlled nearly every moment of the first seven rounds, but the young heavyweight prospect’s gas tank failed him at a critical juncture. In the seventh round, Itauma went all-in pursuing the knockout after appearing to hurt Hrgovic, but when his opponent refused to go down, Itauma was left completely empty.
In the eighth round, Hrgovic capitalized on his opponent’s exhaustion and forced the referee to halt the contest as Itauma appeared on the verge of collapse from fatigue rather than accumulated damage. Itauma’s corner was simultaneously preparing to throw in the towel.
Early in the fight, Itauma landed crisp body-head combinations and dropped Hrgovic in the second round. Hrgovic managed to regain some momentum in the third round, but Itauma successfully reasserted control over the following rounds. Notably, Hrgovic absorbed several punches that Itauma had previously used to finish opponents. In the sixth round, both fighters landed heavy blows. While Itauma edged those exchanges, Hrgovic earned respect with a series of clean one-two combinations. What initially appeared destined to be a one-sided beating evolved into an entertaining brawl.
Ariel Helwani’s reaction mirrored that of nearly everyone watching.
After the finish, Itauma required several minutes to regain his feet. Ultimately, he was transported from the ring on a stretcher. His visible exhaustion was alarming, representing perhaps the most depleted state this observer has witnessed from a fighter in competition. Others shared similar assessments.
Full Results, Per Queensberry Promotions
BoutDivisionResultFilip Hrgovic def. Moses Itauma Heavyweight9th Round TKOSam Noakes def. Denys BerinchykLightweightUnanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 98-92)Nelson Hysa def. Thomas NarmoHeavyweightTKO, R2, 0:36 — wins WBO Global titleConstantin Ursu def. Ben VaughanWelterweightTKO (doctor stoppage), R8, 0:03 — retains British and Commonwealth titlesGuido Vianello vs. Moses JollyHeavyweightDraw (76-76)Aloys Junior def. Sherif MusahCruiserweightUnanimous decision (60-54)Arbnor Jashari def. Numan HussainSuper featherweightUnanimous decision (59-55)Zayn Ahmed def. Liam FitzmauriceSuper bantamweightTKO, R2, 2:47Hassan Ishaq def. Enzo Bahiano MunozSuper bantamweightUnanimous decision (40-36)Frankie Wood def. Callum LeeFeatherweightTKO, R6, 1:21Tony Curtis Jr. def. Imad NaseebSuper flyweightUnanimous decision (58-56)Sam King def. Jack SwallowMiddleweightUnanimous decision (40-36)
Itauma will not turn 22 until December. He possesses years of competition ahead, though some emotional recovery from this defeat will be necessary. This represented a complete and total breakdown. Promoter Frank Warren mentioned that Itauma had been dealing with a leg injury. That explanation is somewhat less concerning than alternative possibilities.
Nevertheless, the manner of the ending was unusual, prompting questions about what comes next for Itauma. Hrgovic has expressed interest in a unification bout against the winner of Daniel Dubois versus Fabio Wardley, or potentially Agit Kabayel. Warren, however, appears more focused on directing the new champion toward mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.
Time will tell how this situation develops. Boxing continues to deliver the unexpected.
