Moses Itauma problem highlighted by four-weight world champion after brutal knockout loss

Moses Itauma has been advised to learn from his devastating knockout loss to Filip Hrgovic and harness his speed to become a world champion.

Itauma, 21, was impressing throughout his world IBF world heavyweight title fight against the experienced and talented Croatian, who featured at the 2016 Olympics.

Despite taking a knee in the second round, the 34-year-old rallied to produce a thrilling comeback and forced a stoppage in the ninth round.

And after one of the biggest shocks of the year in boxing, a host of fighters have shared their view on how the mercurial Briton can bounce back to fulfil his talent after this major setback, including four-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson.

“Unbelievable talent and skills,” Stevenson remarked on Itauma's performance. “He’s young and will be a champion one day if he learn[s] from that.

“He throws every punch at 100mph and that can be a gift and a curse, especially in the heavyweights division!!”

While former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor blamed matchmaking for Itauma’s defeat.

“This what happens when hype gets rushed too quickly,” Taylor said. “Moses is a great talent but was put in too deep too quickly!

“Monetisation rather than nurturing and maturing. Moses will be a world champion, absolutely no doubt! He is world class!! Was just put in against a top-class veteran too quickly.”

Speculation has already started surrounding Itauma’s next move, but fellow heavyweight Dave Allen warned a comeback will take a remarkable effort.

“From round three onwards, we saw it coming,” Allen told TalkSport. “It was too much, too soon. By round seven, eight, Itauma looked like a kid in there with no experience.

“He beat Hrgovic rounds 7-1, and dropped him; he’s incredible. That’s going to take some coming back from. I left this arena on a stretcher and was never the same after.”

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