Hrgovic Takes IBF Title After Upset Of Itauma

Filip Hrgovic claimed the vacant IBF heavyweight title by defeating Moses Itauma, according to ESPN's divisional rankings update. The Croatian cruised past the previously undefeated British prospect to secure the belt and Itauma's spot among the heavyweight elite.

Hrgovic, who had been knocking on the door of a world title for years, capitalised on Itauma's first career setback to capture the vacant strap. The victory vaulted the Zagreb native into the heavyweight top five, per ESPN's latest rankings.

Hrgovic's Path To IBF Crown

Itauma entered the bout as the favourite but could not withstand Hrgovic's pressure. The loss marks the first time the young heavyweight has tasted defeat and drops him from the upper echelon of the division's rankings.

Hrgovic now positions himself for bigger fights in a heavyweight landscape that includes Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois. The IBF belt gives him leverage in future negotiations as the division sorts out its next major matchups.

Reported via:

• ESPN Boxing — Boxing divisional rankings: Filip Hrgovic pulls off upset title win to enter heavyweight top five