Moses Itauma was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after his IBF world heavyweight title bid ended in a ninth-round stoppage by new champion Filip Hrgovic.
Itauma was carried from the ring on a stretcher following an explosive clash for the vacant belt at The O2 that saw Hrgovic become Croatia’s first champion in the division.
The 21-year-old from Kent was in complete command of the fight but had punched himself out in search of the knockout and was exhausted when referee Howard Foster came to his rescue with trainer Ben Davison also throwing in the towel.
“Moses has gone to the hospital for a check up,” promoter Frank Warren said.
“It’s precautionary that he’s gone to the hospital. That’s what we always do to make sure because the most important thing is the boxer’s health.
“He’s there and he’s in the best place. We’ll see what happens when I’ve got a report. We’ll obviously let everybody know.
“He’s done something to his leg as well and he was quite tired. It was a high paced, fast fight for both the guys. It was just edge of your seat stuff all the way through.”
Itauma reined down blows on Hrgovic for the first seven rounds but the wily 34-year-old was able to soak up the punishment and then took control in the eighth and ninth rounds.
Showing a granite chin and enormous heart, he won the exchanges as the rivals went toe to toe and Itauma lurched across the ring until Foster intervened.
The clash had been billed ‘Witness History’ in anticipation of Itauma being crowned Britain’s youngest ever world heavyweight champion, but his career has stalled and Warren was unable to guarantee he would be back.
“I don’t know what he’s going to say,” Warren said. “I’m sure he’s a fighting man. He showed that right to the end. At the end, that’s the type of fight it was – they were standing there just letting bombs go.
“I don’t even know how he feels mentally. Mentally, he’s going to be completely down. We’re going to have to talk to him and lift him and see what he’s like.
“It’s going to take some time. He’s going to have a nice break. It’s not even the time to talk about it with him at the moment.
“It’s something we’re probably doing in two weeks or even a month’s time, see where we go with it.”
Hrgovic must now take on the IBF’s mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who was paid step aside money to enable him to face Itauma.
“I can’t believe it’s happening,” he said. My head is ringing from everything. It will take time for my feelings to settle. But I can’t believe that after 20 years I have my dream.
“God gave me the best possible gift to fight to win a world title against the best guy in the division. The most talented guy in the division. There is no better way for me to become a world champion.”
