Moses Itauma Rebuild Set to Begin With Early 2027 Return

Moses Itauma is set to return in early 2027, with promoter Frank Warren planning talks with the heavyweight’s team over the changes required following his first defeat against Filip Hrgovic.

Itauma, 21, was stopped in the ninth round by Hrgovic last month in their fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight title. The southpaw had dropped Hrgovic in the second and was ahead 80-71, 80-71 and 79-72 after eight rounds, but tired after pursuing the stoppage and was halted on his feet.

The defeat was Itauma’s first as an amateur or professional and ended his attempt to become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson beat Trevor Berbick in 1986. Warren has since spoken several times with Itauma, who has already returned to the gym.

“He’s going to fight very early next year. I’ve spoken to him a few times; he’s actually back in the gym,” Warren told IFL TV. “I’m going to sit down with the team next week and we’re going to go through everything. He’s very disappointed because, first of all, he was winning the fight. He knows what he did wrong.

“It’s not rocket science, but there’s got to be some serious changes.”

Itauma’s speed and southpaw movement had troubled Hrgovic for much of the opening eight rounds, but his pacing came under scrutiny after the stoppage. Fabio Wardley subsequently clarified that Itauma had completed several 12-round sparring sessions during his preparation, having previously suggested in an interview that he had not done so.

According to Warren, Itauma was taken to hospital after the fight because of a leg injury and exhaustion. He was discharged the following day, and has soon returned home to begin his recovery.

Warren had preferred a different opponent for Itauma’s 15th professional contest, but said the fighter’s team pushed for the Hrgovic bout. He was also concerned by a ringside conversation with Itauma’s brother, Karol, who indicated that Itauma would not have considered himself a true champion unless he stopped the Croatian.

“I was disappointed because, first of all, this fight, I was looking to make it against a different opponent,” Warren told The Ring. “But we were talking about it and [Team Itauma] said [Hrgovic] was the opponent they wanted and that he’s perfect in every way.

“If he had gone and knocked him out in the eighth round, then everyone would have been a genius. In some ways, I’m pleased with what happened on Saturday.”

Tyson Fury has been more critical of the decision to place Itauma in a world-title fight at 21. Before and after the defeat, the former heavyweight champion argued that Itauma needed more rounds against durable opposition before stepping up to that level.

“From my experience, I said to Frank Warren and I said to everybody who would listen, ‘too soon, this guy needs another four/five fights, what is the rush?’” Fury said. “It’s about getting the balance right; get him in with somebody who is not that dangerous, who is durable, who can take punishment and give him the rounds. He needs to get used to getting the rounds in.”

Hrgovic became Croatia’s first world heavyweight champion with the victory and is expected to defend the IBF belt against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez. Sanchez accepted a step-aside payment in June to allow Hrgovic-Itauma to proceed after the sanctioning body had initially ordered him to face Itauma for the vacant title.

Warren’s meeting with Itauma and his team is expected to address both his preparation and the choice of opponent for his comeback, which the promoter plans to stage early next year.