LONDON — Filip Hrgovic absorbed blow after blow before stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round to hand the 21-year-old British boxer his first loss and take the vacant IBF heavyweight world title on Saturday.
\n\nItauma’s corner threw in the towel as he was being pummelled against the ropes, making the 34-year-old Hrgovic the first Croatian heavyweight champion.
\n\nItauma had never needed to go past the sixth round in his first 14 professional bouts and tired visibly after taking command of the early rounds, with Hrgovic absorbing a barrage of hits even after being knocked down in the second round.
\n\nThe rivals traded blows in the eighth and ninth before the granite chin of Hrgovic won out.
\n\n“I was losing every round. I was outboxed. And I don’t know from where I got energy,” Hrgovic said. “Look, chin is important.”
\n\nHrgovic improved to 22-1 and halted the rapid rise of Itauma, who was trying to become the youngest heavyweight champion since a 20-year-old Mike Tyson stopped Trevor Berbick in 1986.
\n\nItauma couldn’t stand after the bout ended and was treated by medical personnel before being helped out of the ring.
\n\n“He’s an amazing fighter,” Hrgovic said. “I’m the present. And…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/