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It would be an oversimplification—and unfair—to attribute Hrgovic’s victory solely to psychological tactics, but the 34-year-old undeniably made the lead-up to the fight uncomfortable for Itauma. Throughout fight week, Hrgovic persistently targeted Itauma’s youth, calling him “just a kid.” This constant provocation visibly unsettled Itauma, culminating in a loss of composure at the weigh-in, where he pushed Hrgovic, who responded by slapping him.
Itauma is known for his cerebral approach to boxing, a rarity among heavyweights. At just 21, he invests significant time in reading psychology and self-help books, openly discusses mental sharpening, and exercises intense self-analysis. Yet, there is a fine line between deep thinking and overthinking—a trap Anthony Joshua has fallen into repeatedly in his recent career. Regardless of how much the pre-fight provocations influenced him, Itauma’s strategy when the fight began was clear: he aimed for an early stoppage.
This aggressive mindset came from a belief, as promoter Warren explained, that Itauma didn’t feel worthy of a world title unless he secured a knockout. Although that mentality had served him well up to this point, it seems most observers underestimated Hrgovic—something Itauma, the media, pundits, former fighters, and bookmakers all shared. Hrgovic, an Olympic bronze medallist, had proven his resilience by going 12 tough rounds against the large Zhilei Zhang and was ahead on two of three scorecards against Daniel Dubois before cuts stopped that fight—the only loss on his record. Known as ‘El Animal,’ Hrgovic has endured being hurt and fatigued but managed to stay competitive, a level of experience Itauma lacked.
Despite the loss, Itauma showed many of the attributes that made him impressive against lesser opponents still hold up against true world-class competition. He demonstrated a solid chin, as no single punch revealed vulnerability, and his hand speed caused problems for Hrgovic, making the Croatian appear sluggish. Looking ahead, Hrgovic advised, “Don’t give up. Don’t lose confidence. Get a few easy fights, easy wins. Build again and learn off these mistakes. You can’t box like an amateur. It’s a 12-round fight, you need to pace yourself.” Warren, meanwhile, remains convinced Itauma is one of the most exceptional talents he has encountered, citing Daniel Dubois’ comeback after setbacks as an example. British boxing fans, however, are also familiar with careers like David Price’s, where early promise faded after repeated defeats. Now, with Itauma’s invincibility shattered, every aspect of his performance—from his breathing to his pacing—will be closely analysed. This newfound vulnerability might actually make him a more fascinating fighter to watch, as the schoolboy who once seemed untouchable has been schooled—and the next chapter depends on what lessons he takes from this experience
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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