Moses Itauma's Lack of Sparring in World Title Match
Moses Itauma missed his first world title opportunity with a ninth-round defeat against Filip Hrgovic, while the lack of sparring during his preparation period sparked debate.
Moses Itauma's first world title challenge ended in a ninth-round defeat to Filip Hrgovic. Following the match, it was revealed that the young boxer had never done 12 rounds of sparring in his training camp.
The Course of the Match and the Ninth Round
Moses Itauma made an effective start by maintaining control of the bout through the first seven sessions. However, he began to show signs of fatigue against Filip Hrgovic's durability.
In the ninth round, referee Howard Foster stepped in to stop the contest and declared Hrgovic the IBF champion. It was also disclosed after the fight that Moses had suffered a leg injury.
Training Camp Controversies
Details that emerged after the match highlighted the shortcomings in Moses Itauma's preparation process. It was determined that the young boxer admitted to never having completed a 12-round spar during his training camp.
Questions grew regarding whether the 21-year-old boxer, who won 12 of his 14 professional career matches by knockout, was adequately prepared for this endurance-heavy contest.