Filip Hrgovic Stops Moses Itauma; Challenges Kabayel and Dubois to Unification
Filip “El Animal” Hrgovic became the first Croatian boxer to win a heavyweight world championship, stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round to capture the vacant IBF title in a thrilling battle at London’s O2 Arena. The new champion made it clear that he next wants to pursue a unification clash.
Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs) endured a difficult start as Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) came out firing. Using his hand speed to land combinations, he managed dropping the Croatian in the second round. Hrgovic struggled to keep up with the 21-year-old’s pace and appeared to be falling behind.
However, Itauma’s furious tempo eventually began taking its toll. By the sixth round, the young British heavyweight was visibly tiring, allowing Hrgovic to increase the pressure. Hrgovic began landing his own heavy shots in the seventh and eighth rounds before taking complete control in the ninth. With Itauma seemingly exhausted, Hrgovic unleashed a sustained attack that forced the referee to stop the fight.
WILL HRGOVIC GET WHAT HE WANTS?
Following the victory, an ecstatic Hrgovic immediately called for unification fights with WBC champion Agit Kabayel or WBO champion Daniel Dubois. However, the IBF could have other plans.
Frank Sanchez is ranked number one by the IBF and reportedly accepted a step-aside fee to allow Hrgovic and Itauma to fight for the vacant title. Under the sanctioning body’s stipulations, Sanchez is expected to be Hrgovic’s mandatory challenger. Will the IBF allow its new champion to pursue an immediate unification fight, or will it enforce Sanchez’s mandatory position and order Hrgovic to make his first title defense against the Cuban contender?
Agit will destroy this ugly nowon…