Moses Itauma lost his unbeaten professional record when Filip Hrgovic stopped him in the ninth round of their IBF heavyweight title fight in London on August 29. The Guardian reported that the Croatian recovered from a difficult early stretch and finished the contest strongly. The result also made Hrgovic the first world heavyweight champion from Croatia, according to the report.

Itauma had controlled much of the opening action with speed and combinations. Hrgovic was dropped in the second round, but stayed in the fight and continued to press. The contest changed late in the eighth round when Itauma’s output and movement began to fade. Hrgovic’s sustained attack forced the referee to intervene in the ninth, ending the bout by stoppage.

The loss was a major reversal for the 21-year-old British heavyweight, who had been building a reputation as one of the division’s fastest-rising prospects. His speed allowed him to trouble Hrgovic early, yet the late rounds showed the demands of a world-level heavyweight fight. The Guardian’s account described Itauma as being caught in a prolonged exchange when a more cautious approach might have helped him manage the closing stages.

Reports also said Itauma left the ring on a stretcher after the fight, with a possible knee injury mentioned in the coverage. That detail should not be expanded into a diagnosis unless his team or a medical authority provides one. The confirmed sporting result is the ninth-round stoppage and the end of his unbeaten run.

Hrgovic’s win gives him the IBF belt and a defining comeback on a major night for the heavyweight division. Itauma’s first defeat does not erase his earlier performances, but it changes the questions around his next step, recovery and development. Any rematch, medical update or future title plan requires a fresh official announcement rather than speculation based on the immediate result.