Moses Itauma has been advised to learn from his devastating knockout loss to Filip Hrgovic and harness his speed to become a world champion.
Itauma, 21, was impressing throughout his world IBF world heavyweight title fight against the experienced and talented Croatian, who featured at the 2016 Olympics.
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Despite taking a knee in the second round, the 34-year-old rallied to produce a thrilling comeback and forced a stoppage in the ninth round.
And after one of the biggest shocks of the year in boxing, a host of fighters have shared their view on how the mercurial Briton can bounce back to fulfil his talent after this major setback, including four-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson.
“Unbelievable talent and skills,” Stevenson remarked on Itauma’s performance. “He’s young and will be a champion one day if he learn from that.
“He throws every punch at 100mph and that can be a gift and a curse, Especially in the heavyweights division!!”
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While former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor blamed matchmaking for Itauma’s defeat.
“This what happens when hype gets rushed too quickly,” Taylor said. “Moses is a great talent but was put in too deep too quickly!
Moses Itauma (left) was stopped in round nine against Filip Hrgovic, as the towel came in (Reuters)
Filip Hrgovic in action during his fight against Moses Itauma (Reuters)
“Monetisation rather than nurturing and maturing. Moses will be a world champion, absolutely no doubt! He is world class!! Was just put in against a top class veteran to quickly.”
Speculation has already started surrounding Itauma’s next move, but fellow heavyweight Dave Allen warned a comeback will take a remarkable effort.
“From round three onwards, we saw it coming,” Allen told Talk Sport. “It was too much, too soon. By round seven, eight, Itauma looked like a kid in there with no experience.
“He beat Hrgovic rounds 7-1, and dropped him, he’s incredible. That’s going to take some coming back from. I left this arena on a stretcher and was never the same after.”
