Moses Itauma suffered the first loss of his career on Saturday, as he was stunned by Filip Hrgovic in a world heavyweight title thriller.
Itauma, 21, was aiming to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion ever – only after Mike Tyson – but his corner threw in the towel in round nine to end that dream.
London’s O2 Arena crowd was left in shock as Hrgovic became Croatia’s first-ever world heavyweight champion, having survived his British foe’s best shots before turning the tide to collect the vacant IBF belt.
Hrgovic, 34, demonstrated an incredible chin, and Itauma tired as the fight wore on, with his technique deserting him and his legs growing wobbly. And Hrgovic capitalised by pouring on punches, leading Itauma’s coach Ben Davison to throw in the towel.
Follow live updates and results from Itauma vs Hrgovic and the undercard, below.
Read MoreWhy Moses Itauma can be the perfect antidote to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
Moses Itauma shoves Filip Hrgovic off stage before getting slapped at weigh-in
One word could haunt Filip Hrgovic after Moses Itauma taunts
Itauma vs Hrgovic LIVE
- Filip Hrgovic scores shock stoppage of Moses Itauma as towel comes in
- Hrgovic pours on punches against tired Itauma to force finish in round nine
- Itauma, 21, fails to become second-youngest heavyweight champ ever
- Briton beaten for first time, as Hrgovic wins vacant IBF title
- Itauma removed on stretcher amid suspected leg injury, taken to hospital
- Fight streamed live exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view
Hrgovic’s team knew...?
08:00 , Alex PattleThat was Team Hrgovic’s plan all along 🤔#MosesHrgovic ▪️ pic.twitter.com/JUxals2CzK
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 30, 2026
What next for Itauma?
07:00 , Alex PattleThe young Briton will need to rebuild, but to what extent Let’s not forget he was winning almost every round tonight.
So, maybe he doesn’t need a big drop-off in the level of his opposition next time.
There’s an argument to put him in with a big name again, and trust that he will learn from his mistakes tonight (yes, he did seem to be injured, which we have to factor in as well).
Itauma vs the loser of Wardley vs Dubois would still be a massive fight, although there’s the issue of Ben Davison coaching Itauma and Wardley.
Hrgovic reflects on absolute battle
06:00 , Alex PattleFilip Hrgovic doesn't know how he pulled it off 🥵
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 29, 2026
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Frank Warren reacts after big blow to his young star
05:00 , Alex PattleFrank Warren reflects on an absolute war 🔥
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 29, 2026
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A GRANITE chin
04:00 , Alex Pattle"Is a chin important?" 👀
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 29, 2026
Filip Hrgovic has just one question after his victory 🤔
🎟️ Buy #MosesHrgovic NOW at https://t.co/yxybEeo0Px | Live Now | Watch only on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/VDAbeDT0Op
What's next for Hrgovic?
03:00 , Alex PattleAgit Kabayel is already lining up a unification bout with the new heavyweight world champ 👀
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 29, 2026
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Unique take from Prince Naseem
02:00 , Alex Pattle"This could be the best thing that ever happens to Moses" 🗣️
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The stoppage in photos
01:00 , Alex Pattle
The stoppage in photos
Sunday 30 August 2026 00:45 , Alex Pattle
The stoppage in photos
Sunday 30 August 2026 00:30 , Alex Pattle
Reports: Itauma taken to hospital
Sunday 30 August 2026 00:17 , Alex PattleReports suggest that Itauma has been taken to hospital, possibly for treatment on his leg injury.
The stoppage in photos
Sunday 30 August 2026 00:12 , Alex Pattle
The stoppage in photos
Sunday 30 August 2026 00:05 , Alex Pattle
Frank Warren on what’s next for Hrgovic
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:57 , Alex PattleHrgovic calls for a fight in Croatia, which Warren says he will try to make happen.
The promoter also says Frank Sanchez should be next for Hrgovic, because he was paid step-aside money to allow this fight tonight.
But Hrgovic says he wants unification fights – and he’s joined in the ring by WBC champ Agit Kabayel, who calls for a bout between them.
Frank Warren says Itauma suffered leg injury
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:51 , Alex PattleItauma’s promoter says Itauma suffered a leg injury. That would explain the reported use of the stretcher – as well as Moses’s wincing in the late rounds, and a reduced mobility.
Reports: Itauma taken out on stretcher
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:47 , Alex PattleThere are reports that Itauma was taken out on a stretcher; with so many bodies in front of us, I did not see that – so it’s just a ‘reportedly’ from me at the moment.
Itauma being taken from ring on a stretcher. #boxing #ItaumaHrgovic
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) August 29, 2026
More from Hrgovic
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:45 , Alex Pattle“He’s an amazing fighter, he’s one of a kind. But he needs more experience, he gassed out.
“I knew I was losing rounds, but I knew that I held that pace in my favour.
“From the first round, I saw he was gassing out.”
Hrgovic speaks
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:44 , Alex PattleHrgovic: “It was not me tonight, it was Jesus Christ in me.
“I was losing every round, I was outboxed, and I don’t know from where I got energy in that... 10th round?”
The ninth!
“It was really not my strength, it was the holy spirit.”
What did we just see???
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:36 , Alex PattleItauma gassed himself out. His technique completely deserted him.
Hrgovic’s chin won out, as he survived the Briton’s best shots and poured it on when it mattered.
Ben Davison, in Itauma’s corner, has thrown in a few towels in his career and he did so here.
Itauma looked more tired than hurt, but I understand the decision of course.
Hrgovic stops Itauma!!!!!
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:34 , Alex PattleRound nine
Has Itauma got his breath back? It seems not, and Hrgovic starts fast! He’s getting after Moses!
Itauma with a laboured one-two. Now a great counter cross, though!
Hrgovic backs him up to the ropes and lets his hands go, however! Moses is swinging wildly! He eats a cross. He’s staggering tiredly. Hrgovic skips forward and lands a left hook.
A chopping right cross... He walks onto a one-two, but he eats it well!
Itauma’s hands are down! His technique has deserted him, he winces again. He wobbles onto the ropes...!!
Hrgovic is landing crosses at will! Hrgovic nearly goes over the rope...
Ben Davison has the towel in hand.... IT’S IN! IT’S OVER!
Things are getting VERY interesting
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:31 , Alex PattleRound eight
Itauma presses forward, stalking Hrgovic. The pace has slowed briefly, however. Sweat drips from Hrgovic’s nose.
Itauma jettisons a cross to the body, and another, and another. Now he goes up top. He’s found his rhythm. A bit of a jumping left hook.
These body shots must be wearing out the Croat. He’s backed up to the ropes, and he hunches over as Itauma pours on punches!!
Still Hrgovic is throwing back, however. And now it’s he who looks dangerous!
Is Itauma gassing himself out?? He’s wobbling, he’s wincing!
Still he lands a trio of shots! Now a clubbing left hook! Wowwwww.
Itauma responds well
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:26 , Alex PattleRound seven
Itauma looked a bit vulnerable there when he tired himself out. These next few rounds will teach us a lot about the 21-year-old.
Hrgovic with a couple of decent shots, then the pair seem to clash heads a bit. Itauma gets after Hrgovic in the corner but misses with an overhand, then leans on the Croat for a moment.
Back in the open, Itauma goes body then head, but Hrgovic rallies well again. The Croatian contingent can be hear chanting louuuuudly now.
Itauma corners his rival and lands a good cross. And another!! The Britons in the stands coo.
Hrgovic with dangerous spell!!
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:22 , Alex PattleRound six
We’re nearing the midway point. Hard left hook up top by Itauma, then a stabbing cross. His face is a little marked up, but not as badly as Hrgovic’s.
Itauma goes jab, cross, hook, each with a bit of a gap between them, time-wise.
Heavy left by Itauma, which proves again how good Hrgovic’s chin is. The Croat walks onto a one-two, then eats a harsh right hook.
Another nice cross by Itauma, but he is breathing heavily.
OH! Hrgovic with a great spell now! He tags Itauma hard four or five times in a row!!
Back comes Itauma with two clean crosses, and the crowd ERUPTS.
That was a DANGEROUS moment for Moses, though...
Itauma's mouthguard slips out
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:19 , Alex PattleRound five
The crowd is distracted by something, but our focus is on the ring.
Itauma is timing his straight punches nicely at the moment.
Good double-jab by Hrgovic, then a nice cross! Another stern jab, and Itauma blinks it off.
The Briton barely misses with a lead hook. Nice counter one-two from him. Another good counter, but Hrgovic clobbers him with a pair of hooks. Itauma avoids the worst of them, though.
Both men are landing, with Hrgovic enjoying a bit more success now.
Itauma’s mouthguard comes out, but he catches it and puts it back in – Filip, get after him!!
Beautiful uppercut by Itauma to end the round.
Itauma asserts himself again
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:14 , Alex PattleRound four
Nice check hook from Itauma, then a heavy jab. Hrgovic skips away then eats a cross, a HARD one.
Itauma misses with a long cross in the corner but soon lands a short hook. And a short counter cross.
Hrgovic’s right eye is a bit cut, a bit swollen.
Itauma overcommits to a hook in the corner and almost ends up over the ropes as Hrgovic slips it!!
But now Itauma with a cleannnnn cross!
Hrgovic weathers storm??
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:10 , Alex PattleRound three
Behind me, there is a Croatian woman literally heaving, she seems very worried.
Itauma lands another spearing straight. He just misses with a right hand up top. Now a hook is just off target.
Itauma with a hard cross to the body, then a couple upstairs.
He eats a straight from Hrgovic, then another good shot, and now the Croatians behind me are screaming in support!
Itauma fires back, but he’s plodding a little. He eats another cross against the ropes! He swings wildly with a hook but misses.
Interesting, VERY interesting! Hrgovic ending the round well; has Itauma just tired himself out a little too early??
Itauma drops Hrgovic to a knee!
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:06 , Alex PattleRound two
Forward comes Hrgovic, pawing with his lead hand. Itauma with a cross to the body, then a miss with a wide hook.
Oh! He staggers Hrgovic!! The Croat drops to a knee from a short right hook!!
He beats the count, but is this already the beginning of the end??
Hard left hook from Itauma. Now a right hook has Hrgovic retreating.
Good counter cross by Itauma, then another that just misses. Hrgovic fires off a few wide hooks, but they’re easy to see for Itauma.
Itauma off to blistering start
Saturday 29 August 2026 23:02 , Alex PattleRound one
Southpaw Itauma gets on the front foot immediately with swift jabs. A hook catches Hrgovic around the ear. Now a cross to the body. And another.
A two-one almost catches out Hrgovic, who is largely reacting.
Hrgovic with a hook but it’s slow.
Now a blunt cross upstairs from Itauma – that thudded! And another! Wow! Blistering speed and it’s a clean connection.
Another cross up top, after a jab downstairs. He’s just so fast, but accurate, too. Hrgovic lands but Itauma immediately replies with a one-two.
Hrgovic with a couple of decent jabs, but that’s an Itauma round.
He’s breathing a little heavily, though; he might want to slow down a tad.
HERE WE GO!
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:58 , Alex PattleRound one!
(A nervous?) Itauma joins Hrgovic in the ring
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:54 , Alex PattleItauma prowls around the stage before making his walk.
He looks very focused, if a little nervous, it must be said...
Some deep breaths from the young Briton, whose arrival in the ring is greeted by a huge cheer.
Here comes Hrgovic
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:51 , Alex PattleHrgovic’s Croatian-rock-song entrance music drowns out the crowd, as they sing Moses Itauma’s name.
There are some Croatians in the crowd with flags, you know!
National anthems
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:49 , Alex PattleA few boos after the Croatian national anthem, then the crowd sings the British anthem heartily. The noise is ramping up now.
O2 Arena almost 100 per cent full
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:45 , Alex PattleA good turnout tonight.
This fight has felt like one that means a lot to hardcore boxing fans, while casual followers haven’t been toooooo aware of it.
Itauma will be seeking the sort of win that makes him impossible to ignore...
Itauma slapped by Hrgovic after shoving rival off stage
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:39 , Alex PattleThe tension cracked at the weigh-in for Itauma vs Hrgovic, with the young Briton pushing his rival off the stage before receiving a slap in return.
Itauma had been typically stoic until Friday’s weigh-in, refusing to rise to the Croatian’s taunts that he is “delusional” and just a “kid”.
But the face-off saw each man bark at the other, with Itauma insisting he will “f*** up” Hrgovic on Saturday, before he pushed the 34-year-old off the stage as Hrgovic flexed in front of the fans.
Hrgovic then took to the stage again, slapping Itauma before the heavyweights were held apart.
Why Itauma can be the perfect antidote to Fury and Joshua
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:35 , Alex PattleSo often, sport moves cyclically.
Barely a month ago, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury showed in no uncertain terms, through waned performances in faraway lands, that they are at the end. And with that, fans have found themselves firmly at the end of their tethers when it comes to a once-alluring, long-elusive, and now painfully late heavyweight clash.
Then this month brought the news that their compatriot, the unbeaten 21-year-old Moses Itauma, would box on home soil in Britain for the chance to become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. It is just the beginning.
In some ways, Itauma’s fight with Filip Hrgovic this weekend feels like an antithesis to Joshua vs Fury, but either way, it is certainly an antidote.
Full preview:
Why Moses Itauma can be the perfect antidote to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
Wardley and Dubois face off in ring as rematch is announced
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:30 , Alex Pattle17 October, O2 Arena in London: Wardley vs Dubois 2!
The heavyweights enter the ring as the details of their rematch are announced.
In May, Wardley floored Dubois almost immediately but ended up taking a beating, as he was stopped and lost the WBO belt to his fellow Briton.
Can the rematch be anywhere near as brutal and chaotic?
Main event up next
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:25 , Alex PattleNext, Moses Itauma has the chance to collect his first world heavyweight title, as he faces Filip Hrgovic in a fascinating main event.
Itauma puts his unbeaten record on the line as he aims to pick up the IBF belt, which was recently vacated by Oleksandr Usyk. If the 21-year-old wins, he will become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion ever, after the legendary Mike Tyson.
Itauma isn’t the only one fighting for a full world title for the first time, though. The summit of Hrgovic’s career until now was a 2024 clash with Daniel Dubois, with the interim IBF belt on the line, and the Briton handed the Croat his only professional loss.
Since then, 34-year-old Hrgovic has gone 3-0, with all of those wins coming against British names. Can he add Itauma to the list? Or will the young sensation fulfil his world-title prophecy?
Sam Noakes def. Denys Berinchyk via unanimous decision
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:21 , Alex Pattle100-90, 99-91, 98-92 are the scorecards!
That brief upturn from Berinchyk in the middle of the fight was barely enough to notch him a couple of rounds.
Six rounds down
Saturday 29 August 2026 22:02 , Alex PattleDAZN is crediting Berinchyk with a LOT of jabs. Maybe they’re counting feints!
Still, he’s increased his output, and Noakes – after a good, if easy start – needs to just be careful he doesn’t let the momentum swing.
Stinging right straight from the Briton now!
Better from Berinchyk now
Saturday 29 August 2026 21:58 , Alex PattleFifth round.
Noakes has slowed down a tad in terms of output; he’s still pressuring, but the punch activity isn’t there as it was before.
Now the two lightweights let their hands go! Better from Berinchyk, who has been far too passive overall.
Noakes driving fast pace
Saturday 29 August 2026 21:50 , Alex PattleBerinchyk is still skipping about, but he’s breathing heavily as he does so.
He’s under constant pressure from Noakes.
Noakes on top early
Saturday 29 August 2026 21:46 , Alex PattleRound two. Noakes with a decent, step-in cross, then a hook in a messy exchange.
It’s early days, but the 38-year-old Berinchyk is looking his age a bit.
He skips away after some pressure against the ropes from Noakes. The lightweights seemed to clash heads in that moment.
Sound cross to the body by Noakes. Berinchyk is nowhere near active enough. Noakes burrows a left hook into the ribs now.
Berinchyk looks a little panicked in the final 10 seconds.
Noakes vs Berinchyk
Saturday 29 August 2026 21:42 , Alex PattleRound one. Both men stand orthodox.
Noakes with a couple of right hooks early. He’s backing up Berinchyk. Nice, short counter right by Noakes now.
Berinchyk rolls under a shot and lands to the body. Next exchange, he’s countered.
Noakes continues to get after the Ukrainian, staying busy. Berinchyk throws to the body but teeters slightly after eating a right hand upstairs.
Nice right hook by Noakes, who takes the first round.
Co-main event next, then Itauma vs Hrgovic
Saturday 29 August 2026 21:25 , Alex PattleSam Noakes and Denys Berinchyk will meet next in a tantalising lightweight tilt.
Then, it’s over to Itauma and Hrgovic, with world heavyweight gold up for grabs.
Heavyweight David Price predicts main event
Saturday 29 August 2026 19:44 , Alex Pattle“I’m hoping Hrgovic gives Itauma some questions to answer and gives him some kind of crisis situation,” Price told BetSelect.co.uk, “so we can see how he reacts and recovers in that situation. I think he needs that.
“Realistically, I think in rounds eight or nine Itauma will either stop Hrgovic on his feet, or his corner will pull him out of the fight.”
One word could haunt Filip Hrgovic after Moses Itauma taunts
Saturday 29 August 2026 18:49 , Alex PattleSpeaking of those “kid” jibes...
“Look how scared I am, I am so scared,” Hrgovic said on Thursday, shaking his hands to emulate a quiver, and stretching his face into a Home Alone poster-esque expression. The thing is, he probably should be scared.
That’s not to say he should be scared of Itauma specifically, although Itauma has compiled considerable, compelling evidence as to why one would fear him; rather, Hrgovic’s cause for concern is the broader dynamic he has created ahead of their fight.
Ahead of tonight’s world heavyweight title clash, the one word he has used liberally, perhaps even haphazardly, is “kid”.
Here’s why it could haunt him tonight:
One word could haunt Filip Hrgovic after Moses Itauma taunts
Itauma vs Hrgovic odds with Croat a clear underdog
Saturday 29 August 2026 18:28 , Alex PattleItauma – 1/7
Hrgovic – 5/1
Draw – 20/1
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How to watch the big fight tonight
Saturday 29 August 2026 18:14 , Alex PattleItauma vs Hrgovic and its undercard will stream live exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view, at a cost of £24.99. You can purchase the fight here, which also allows eight free days of DAZN Standard.
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