Hrgovic storms back to defeat Itauma for IBF heavyweight title

Itauma came into Saturday's bout with 12 knockouts in 14 professional fights ​unbeaten, and it looked like he was about to add a 13th ⁠as he pounded his opponent with powerful punches to the head and body.

Attempting ​to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion of the world behind Mike Tyson, the 21-year-old's fast ​hands connected repeatedly with Hrgovic's head, but the Croatian displayed tremendous resilience, despite being on the receiving end of a standing eight count early in the fight.

Itauma landed a stunning uppercut as the ​bell sounded to end the fifth round, but Hrgovic managed to recover, and he ​played with fire again at the end of the sixth as Itauma pounded him late in the ‌frame.

Worn ⁠out from his efforts, Itauma slowed as the fight wore on and Hrgovic pounced in the ninth, forcing the young Briton back onto the ropes and overwhelming him with shots, forcing the referee to call off the fight as the towel came in ​from Itauma's corner.

"He's an ​amazing fighter, I want ⁠to thank him for accepting this fight, to give me a chance to become a new star in the heavyweight division. ​I am the present, and he is definitely the future," Hrgovic ​said.

"He's an ⁠amazing fighter, he's one of a kind, he's the best I've been in the ring with, but he needs more experience. He gassed out... I knew that I have that ⁠pace ​in my favour.

"Hrgovic said he wants a unification fight against ​WBC champion Agit Kabayel, who stepped into the ring to congratulate the new champion, but promoter Frank Warren ​quickly killed that idea, saying that he must fight Frank Sanchez next.