Hrgovic celebrates with his team.

Croatian is heavyweight world champion

Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic is the first ever heavyweight world champion after a dramatic victory against Moses Itauma from Great Britain.

August 30, 2026

From: dpa

The 34-year-old defeated his opponent in London in the ninth of twelve rounds by technical knockout in the IBF (International Boxing Federation) title fight. Hrgovic is the first heavyweight world champion from Croatia.

The 21-year-old Itauma, who was leading on points, missed the chance to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion of the world after Mike Tyson. The American was 20 years old when he won his first world title on November 22, 1986. Itauma also suffered his first professional defeat. In his first 14 fights, he had never gone beyond the sixth round.

Title race without a previous titleholder

Itauma dominated the early stages of the fight, even knocking his opponent down in the second round. However, the Briton appeared increasingly fatigued as the bout progressed. Hrgovic found his rhythm and landed increasingly effective and powerful punches with each round. Itauma's corner finally threw in the towel in the ninth round. "He's a great fighter," Hrgovic said of Itauma. "I am the present. And he is definitely the future."

Hrgovic raises his fist in the air. © Social Media

The fight between Hrgovic and Itauma was not originally planned as a title fight. When the bout was scheduled in June, it was intended to narrow down the potential challengers for a duel with then-IBF world champion Oleksandr Usyk. However, the Ukrainian relinquished all his titles a few weeks later.