The world of boxing was stunned last month as Filip Hrgovic stopped Moses Itauma to capture the IBF heavyweight title, and fellow heavyweight world title challenger Dillian Whyte has offered his thoughts on his former opponent’s harrowing defeat.
Itauma and Whyte fought in Saudi Arabia back in August 2025, in what was Itauma’s first ever main event. The contest did not last long as the youngster quickly disposed of Whyte in the opening round to continue his surge up the heavyweight ratings.
Last month, Itauma had the opportunity to become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion of all time, behind only Mike Tyson, but the 21-year-old fell short as exhaustion proved to be his downfall – halted by Hrgovic in round nine despite winning every round prior.
Speaking to iFL TV, Whyte revealed that he was not surprised by the outcome, explaining that his plan was also to take Itauma into deep waters when they fought.
“No, I wasn’t surprised [by Hrgovic’s win] because that was a part of our strategy going into the fight but, unfortunately, the fight didn’t go very long and we didn’t get to that part of the strategy because other things were happening.
“I couldn’t really be the way that I needed to be and do what I really needed to do, but no, I wasn’t surprised [to see Hrgovic beat him that way].”
Whyte then went on to detail why he thinks that his bout with the youngster may also have played a part in Itauma’s defeat to the Croatian.
“The worst thing that Moses did was beat me in a round because then he started to think that he was invincible and that he didn’t have to train and do things the right way.
“He thought – because he got me out of there early – that he would be able to do it to everyone else.”
Whyte has not fought since his short-lived scrap with Itauma, but ‘The Body Snatcher’ is being linked to a return via Zuffa Boxing, where he may collide with fan-favourite Johnny Fisher in an all-British heavyweight affair.
