Dream of breaking Tyson's record shattered: Itauma loses by TKO, hospitalized after IBF title fight

In an unforgettable night at The O2 Arena, London, on August 29, 21-year-old boxing prodigy Moses Itauma failed to turn his dream of breaking Mike Tyson's 40-year record into reality. Itauma, who was expected to create a global shock when facing veteran Croatian fighter Filip Hrgovic (34) for the IBF heavyweight title, lost by technical knockout (TKO) in the 9th round. This defeat not only ended his hope of becoming the youngest champion in history but also sent him into a serious health condition, as he had to leave the ring on a stretcher and was hospitalized for emergency treatment. From the early rounds, Itauma showed superiority in speed and youth. He completely dominated Hrgovic in the first 7 rounds, landing heavy blows and forcing his opponent to retreat continuously. However, his lack of experience and noticeable stamina decline after the 7th round turned the tide. Hrgovic, a seasoned veteran, took advantage of Itauma's exhaustion to counterattack strongly, ending the fight in the 9th round with a decisive close exchange. This TKO victory made Hrgovic the first Croatian heavyweight champion in history. Notably, Itauma not only lost the fight but also suffered a serious leg injury. According to promoter Frank Warren, Itauma was taken to the hospital immediately after the fight for emergency treatment. Fortunately, all test results were safe and he was discharged. Warren emphasized that the hospitalization was only a precautionary measure but admitted that this defeat would cause a huge psychological shock for the young fighter. 'Now is not the time to talk about the future. We need to lift his spirits. A long break is necessary,' Warren shared. From a tactical perspective, Itauma made a classic mistake of a young fighter: burning out early. Throwing powerful punches from the start without a contingency plan against a seasoned opponent like Hrgovic led to his exhaustion. The lack of stamina over 12 rounds was a fatal weakness, and failing to finish the opponent in 7 dominant rounds shows that Itauma's finishing ability is still average compared to world championship level. In contrast, Hrgovic fought with veteran resilience: taking hits, waiting for the opportunity, and finishing the fight when his opponent weakened. In terms of data, Itauma dominated nearly 78% of the fight time (7 out of 9 rounds) but failed to score a single knockdown. This number clearly reflects the gap between dominant stats and actual effectiveness. With this defeat, the chance to break Mike Tyson's record (champion at 20 years 4 months, 2026) is permanently closed, as Itauma is now 21. This is an unrecoverable opportunity. Public opinion is divided: some believe Itauma was pushed into the fight too early for commercial purposes, while others think this is a necessary lesson for growth. Regardless, Itauma's career now enters a rebuilding phase. A long break, recovery from injury and psychology, followed by comeback fights against weaker opponents to rebuild confidence. The question remains: can this young fighter overcome the psychological shock and return stronger, or will he forever be a talent unfulfilled? Only time and the preparation of his coaching team will provide the answer.