Filip Hrgovic stuns Moses Itauma to win IBF heavyweight title - ESPN

LONDON — Filip Hrgovic produced a courageous performance to stop Moses Itauma in Round 9 of their title contest to become Croatia's first heavyweight world champion Saturday.

With his fighter exhausted and backed up against the ropes, Itauma's trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel in Round 9 to bring an end to a pulsating heavyweight battle at the O2 Arena. Hrgovic claimed the vacant IBF belt.

Itauma left the arena on a stretcher following the stoppage and was taken to the hospital.

Hrgovic praised his rival after the grueling bout.

«He's amazing fighter. I want to thank him to accepting this fight, to give me chance to become a new superstar in heavyweight division,» Hrgovic said. «I'm the present and he's definitely future.»

Home favorite Itauma, 21, came out fast, using his speed and power to get on top of Hrgovic early, forcing him to the canvas, albeit briefly, in Round 2.

However, Hrgovic, who is known for his punch resilience, stayed in the contest, absorbing everything his younger opponent threw at him from then on.

By Round 4, both fighters slowed and looked tired. Itauma, the heavy prefight favorite, kept charging forward and landing shots but could not hurt Hrgovic.

Itauma went for it in Round 8 and his fatigue showed. By the start of Round 9, he was swaying on his feet and Hrgovic pounced, forcing Itauma up against the ropes, letting his hands go and leaning on him.

Itauma had nothing left to give and was unable to keep his hands up, leading Davison to throw the towel from the corner

Despite his Olympic pedigree and strong record — his only defeat came to the now-world champion Daniel Dubios after the bout was stopped in Round 8 due to a cut — Hrgovic was reduced to a side character in much of the promotion