Lot of horrific takes on the Hrgovic Itauma fight

wouldnt matter if hrgovic was 25. still stands true.

 

it makes it worse that everybody including Moses team knew that hrgovic’s only route to victory was to play the long game. It was his game plan and he himself told them so. I find it hard to believe that stamina/gas tank wasn’t at the top of the list of priorities for this training camp. If it wasn’t, that’s ridiculous. I imagine it was though and it’ll probably turn out going forward that Moses is just one of those guys that is superb for a few rounds and then fades. I bet David Prices team tried everything to improve his endurance but with some guys it just is what it is.

 

Likewise, I have nothing against Hrgovic, plenty have overrated him and especially will do now that he's beaten a highly rated and highly unproven kid.

But nothings really changed, Hrgovic didn't magically become a world beater - he didn't need to to win that fight... He just needed Itauma to be suitably overrated and with such horribly poor stamina that even Hrgovic could outlast him and grind him down - despite his own shortcomings in that area.

It remains, for me, a classic case of the gates being shut against the unworthy - Itauma might still already beat some contenders purely by speed and KO power, but he's clearly not going to be a dominant champion with such a major stamina and pacing problem...

But beating an overhyped kid doesn't magically make Hrgovic a contender, either.

 

Itauma is like Rae Dawn Chong in Quest for Fire. Like, Ika got some nice moves, looks cool, but, H2H, she not gonna beat Amoukar in a test of pure physicality. If weapons were allowed, that's different, maybe some kind of ranged build, but not like this.

 

You need to watch the fight again mate. Sure Hrgo's chin was a massive factor, but to say he didn't offer anything else is absurd. His distance management was excellent to always be pushing Moses to work and expel energy. He rode punches really well at times, and was effective with his jab in those pockets where Moses wanted to rest. He upped his work in last minute to 45 seconds of every round from the 5th onwards, to ensure that Moses was as exhausted as he possibly could be - once he got more of a bead on Moses power and timing he also was more willing to 'take to give' and further push the young pup.

 

Not at all sure on that yet - Moses has to show us he can come back from the mental impact of that defeat in the ring yet. This is a dude that has said he doesn't love boxing and wouldn't be around that long?

Not sure I'd be investing in that future until I see he gets back in the ring and the manner of his fights for at least the first 2 or 3 back. Then we'll talk.

 

i dont think there was anything particularly traumatic about his loss. it was obvious he was a class above before the wheels fell off. if he was honest when he said he never sparred 12 rds, then that right there is reason enough to understand you can do better at keeping the wheels in place. ive seen no reason he couldnt fix some things and get back on the track he was on. if he wants it, its still there for him.

 

I think that IF - and how much - is the big question!

 

I'll watch it again for sure, I was just feeling sorry for Hrgovic as he was completely overwhelmed by Moses and it just seemed like Moses was gonna KO Filip any moment with huge punch combinations. I wanted to believe Filip was doing a rope-a-dope but he just looked completely overwhelmed and uncomfortable, like he had no plan except to try and survive and weather the storm for several rounds.

Filip became gun shy at various times and was too timid to fight back to find some sort of defence/flow. We've not seen anyone do that to Hrgovic before.

Filip was besting and beating Dubois imo in their fight and Dubois is also a fast, explosive, strong boxer.

 

In some way I think that is a valid point
Not that I have any experience in guiding a fighter

I wrote before the fight

Respect both men for what they are doing, but favour Hrgovic

I have a feeling Hrgovic will win inside the distance


In the UK the HW scene is very tough, especially when campaigning for the British title at the weight
That can be a make or break fight
Just look at the level of some of those bouts with fighters that are still active

Fury vs Chisora
Joshua vs Whyte
Dubois vs Gorman
Dubois vs Joyce
Wardley vs Adeleye
Wardley vs Clarke


Sometimes though UK based HWs tend to go down the international route a bit more where they are good promising HWs but get stepped up a bit too soon, where they often do themselves proud but haven't had the tough British title route that as said seems like it can make or break

Itauma seems to be going down the international route


Maybe for such a young talented fighter, having quite a few undercarriage learning fights may have been helpful
Not that I have a clue

 

You are easily impressed.