British boxer Moses Itauma suffers shock defeat to Filip Hrgovic in heavyweight world title fight

British boxer Moses Itauma has suffered a shock defeat to Filip Hrgovic in a punishing world heavyweight title fight in London.

The referee stopped the bout in the ninth round - and the towel came flying in - as an exhausted Itauma took punishment from the Croatian fighter.

Itauma was overwhelming favourite and many were expecting a quick victory that would have made him the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson.

But the 21-year-old needed oxygen after the fight and was stretchered off and taken to hospital for checks.

The Kent fighter started strongly at the O2 Arena and was firmly in control early on - but his fast start proved his undoing.

Itauma was soon gasping between rounds and the Croatian continued moving forward, seemingly growing in confidence after his granite chin took his opponent's best shots.

The young star entered uncharted territory as he went past the sixth round for the first time in his career - but remained clearly ahead in the fight.

Itauma seemed close to victory in the eighth as his trademark speed and body shots slowed Hrgovic.

The Briton unleashed an onslaught of punches but Hrgovic weathered the storm, came back off the ropes and ended with shots of his own.

As the bell went for the ninth, the veteran heavyweight smelled blood and went after Itauma.

The pair traded punches in a sensational final three minutes, which ended with the British boxer barely able to stand and swaying against the ropes.

The referee stopped the fight with 34 seconds left, just as trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel.

Itauma had been lauded by many as a champion-in-waiting after winning 12 of his 14 previous bouts by knockout - 11 of those coming in the first two rounds.

However, this will now be viewed as a step up too soon for the fighter - whose power and exceptional speed have made him one of the brightest prospects in boxing.

Completely spent, he was stretchered from the ring and didn't do any immediate post-fight interviews. The Chatham fighter has plenty of time on his side but this was a brutal lesson.

Hrgovic rightly deserves huge credit for defying the odds and becoming Croatia's first-ever heavyweight champion, claiming the vacant IBF title.

"He's an amazing fighter - I want to thank him," Hrgovic said afterwards.

"To give me a chance to become a new superstar in the heavyweight division. I am the present. He is definitely the future."

German WBC champion Agit Kabayel was full of praise for the Croatian when he entered the ring after the bell, setting the scene for a potential two-title clash in the future.

Other potential opponents include the winner of the rematch between Britain's WBO champion Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley.

It was better news for British boxing in Birmingham earlier on Saturday night as Chantelle Cameron emerged victorious in an epic contest against US fighter Mikaela Mayer.

Cameron won by unanimous decision to become WBA, WBC and WBO super-welterweight world champion.

(c) Sky News 2026: British boxer Moses Itauma suffers shock defeat to Filip Hrgovic in heavyweight world title fight