British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Moses Itauma has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home with his family after suffering the first defeat of his professional boxing career.
The 21-year-old was taken to hospital following his ninth-round stoppage loss to Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic in their fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at The O2 in London.
Moses Itauma was carried out of the ring on a stretcher after appearing severely exhausted during the closing stages of the contest.
His promoter, Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, later confirmed that the young heavyweight had been given medical attention and was subsequently allowed to return home.
“Moses is well.
“He left the hospital last night and, after being checked over, he is now back home with his family,” Queensberry said in a statement.
Itauma appeared to be in control for much of the fight and was reportedly ahead on the judges’ scorecards before Hrgovic turned the contest around in the later rounds.
The British-Nigerian began to show signs of severe fatigue in the eighth round, leaving him vulnerable as Hrgovic increased the pressure.
Referee Howard Foster eventually stopped the bout at 2:27 of the ninth round after Itauma was unable to adequately defend himself.
Warren revealed after the fight that there had initially been concerns over a possible leg injury.
“Moses has gone to hospital,” Warren said.
“He has done something to his leg. He did something to his leg and he was exhausted, is the truth of it. It was a very fast-paced fight.”
The promoter also acknowledged that Itauma would need to learn from the experience as he rebuilds his career.
“He got caught and the fighting instinct was to stand there and let his shots go,” Warren said.
“That’s what it is at the top level. You have to tick all the boxes.
“He has got to learn from the fight and will hopefully do that.”
Hrgovic, meanwhile, admitted that he had struggled against Itauma for much of the bout before finding the energy to change the outcome.
“I was getting outboxed, but somehow I found the energy and the punch to change it all,” the Croatian said.
He also praised Itauma, describing him as an exceptional fighter despite his lack of experience at the highest level.
“He is the best fighter I have been in with but he needs more experience, he gassed out. I knew I had the pace in my favour. He gassed out but he is one of a kind.”
The defeat ended Itauma’s unbeaten professional record but is unlikely to derail the highly rated heavyweight’s career, with his promoter already indicating that the young fighter will have an opportunity to learn and rebuild following the setback.
Vanguard News
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