LONDON -- Filip Hrgovic produced a courageous performance to stop Moses Itauma in Round 9 of their title contest to become Croatia's first heavyweight world champion Saturday.
With his fighter exhausted and backed up against the ropes, Itauma's trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel in Round 9 to bring an end to a pulsating heavyweight battle at the O2 Arena. Hrgovic claimed the vacant IBF belt.
Itauma left the arena on a stretcher following the stoppage and was taken to the hospital.
Hrgovic praised his rival after the grueling bout.
"He's amazing fighter. I want to thank him to accepting this fight, to give me chance to become a new superstar in heavyweight division," Hrgovic said. "I'm the present and he's definitely future."
Home favorite Itauma, 21, came out fast, using his speed and power to get on top of Hrgovic early, forcing him to the canvas, albeit briefly, in Round 2.
However, Hrgovic, who is known for his punch resilience, stayed in the contest, absorbing everything his younger opponent threw at him from then on.
By Round 4, both fighters slowed and looked tired. Itauma, the heavy prefight favorite, kept charging forward and landing shots but could not hurt Hrgovic.
Itauma went for it in Round 8 and his fatigue showed. By the start of Round 9, he was swaying on his feet and Hrgovic pounced, forcing Itauma up against the ropes, letting his hands go and leaning on him.
Itauma had nothing left to give and was unable to keep his hands up, leading Davison to throw the towel from the corner
Despite his Olympic pedigree and strong record -- his only defeat came to the now-world champion Daniel Dubios after the bout was stopped in Round 8 due to a cut -- Hrgovic was reduced to a side character in much of the promotion of the fight.
Posters and billboards all focused on Itauma and what seemed to be his almost inevitable win. Even advertisements on Spotify insisted Itauma was "set to" take the crown.
Hrgovic had been on the front foot with the verbal gibes in the buildup, right from the launch news conference when he said he was "not impressed" with Itauma's rise up the ranks, insinuating he had been given an easier rise than most.
He continued the taunts in fight week, often referring to Itauma as "a kid" and calling him "delusional." He even told writers that a win Saturday would "ruin" his 21-year-old rival.
"I think for him, it would be the best to lose this fight because it's going to ruin him, winning the world title. He's already in the clouds, above the ground. He's already delusional," Hrgovic said. "I think it can ruin someone who's not ready for that kind of fame, that kind of money. It can ruin your soul."
While Ituama understood the reasoning, he conceded that Hrgovic's taunts were starting to get to him. Tensions boiled over at Friday's weigh-in when Itauma pushed Hrgovic off the stage, with Hrgovic firing a slap that connected with Itauma's chin in return.
Fortunately, there was no harm done, and Hrgovic had the last laugh in the ring.