Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Filip Hrgovic declared before the fight vs Moses Itauma that the 21 year old Brit lacked experience and he had never experienced severe adversity in a fight. He also speculated that Itauma victims Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin were not prepared to beat Itauma.
Hrgovic also questioned Itauma’s punching power.
Last night’s fascinating duel for the vacated IBF Heavyweight title was the classic young gun vs the older experienced veteran in his last chance to strike gold.
Itauma wanted to win, to grow as a young fighter and evolve into the superstar many experts have predicted for his future. Hrgovic needed to win to save his career. I thought the “Face Off” ten weeks ago gave us some important clues about what could happen.
In it Itauma stated he didn’t care what Hrgovic thought of his career and boxing style and then later on he contradicted himself and was telling Hrgovic to give him props. Hrgovic also mentioned Itauma as a Brit had everything handed to him on a silver platter, while he as a Croatian never got any gifts or privileges from the establishment. Hrgovic clearly won the face off war of words.
Then at weigh two days before the clash, Itauma showed frustration, weakness, insecurity by feeling the need to shove Hrgovic off the stage after the customary staredown where the two combatants traded fierce words nose to nose. Itauma told him “I’m gonna fuck you up.” Hrgovic replied “I’m going to smash you.”
Suddenly, Hrgovic, after managing to not fall off the stage, turned around and faced Itauma and slapped him.
The fight started off with Itauma seeming to be superior with his speed and punch output advantages. He even floored the rock jawed Croatian early in the fight but it was more of an off balance punch which clearly did not hurt Hrgovic.
Itauma seemed to be in control but Hrgovic kept coming, kept hunting his prey. By round nine suddenly Itauma seemed to run out of gas. Hrgovic continued to score strikes to the head and body and then Itauma seemed completely exhausted swaying and floundering on unsteady legs. He had nothing left. Itauma did land a wild right from right field but it had no effect on Hrgovic who moved in for the kill. Itauma’s cornerman knew the end was near and jumped up on the ring apron with a towel and then as the final punches landed on Itauma, the towel came in and it was over. Hrgovic was the new champion.
In his post fight press conference Hrgovic said he had a perfect training camp with no injuries or outside troubles, which he did admit were factors in his unimpressive defeat to Daniel Dubois two years ago. He also said that he was inspired greatly to win this fight to show his daughter he is not “a loser.” Hrgovic believes Itauma has a lot of talent and potential and exceptional speed but he still “fights like an amateur.”
“I feel great. This is the best possible scenario. I was losing all the fight. He was outboxing me. I show who is the man and who is the kid. He was rushing too much. Throwing too many punches. He’s amazing. He will be a champion. He need experience. He don’t have power, but he is very quick. You can’t see the punches coming. We will see how he handle this, he needs to get back his confidence. It was a dangerous fight for him at this age, maybe it change his life. It’s not about skill, it’s about will. It’s about cajones.”
Anything else you want to say? “I want to say I’m the best.”
“To be honest, (and) I’m always honest, I didn’t expect (that), I thought it was going to be easier. I didn’t know he was so good. He’s very fast, y’know…Honestly, I’ve never been in the ring with someone like him. But he’s inexperienced, y’know. I saw from the first round that he was breathing hard, he was throwing too much. He was fighting like an amateur.”
