Moses Itauma was taken to hospital following his IBF heavyweight title fight against Filip Hrgovic at the O2 Arena in London after suffering a leg injury and requiring medical attention.
Itauma was stopped in the ninth round after his corner threw in the towel, allowing Hrgovic to complete a comeback and claim the vacant IBF heavyweight title. The 21-year-old had dropped Hrgovic in the second round before fading as the fight progressed.
After the stoppage, Itauma was given oxygen and was unable to stand without assistance before being carried from the ring on a stretcher. Promoter Frank Warren later confirmed that he had been sent to hospital for checks.
“Moses has gone to the hospital, he’s done something to his leg and obviously he has to be checked out,” Warren said. “He was quite tired.”
The fight represented unfamiliar territory for Itauma, who had never previously gone beyond six rounds as a professional. He entered the bout having completed only 31 professional rounds across 14 fights.
Hrgovic survived Itauma’s aggressive start and gradually took control as the younger fighter became exhausted. The extent of Itauma’s leg injury has not yet been confirmed.
Image Credit: BBC