Itauma could have just ran from rnds 9-12 and get the decision on the first fight. Think he can beat Hrgovic if he just runs after scoring enough points after rd 8 on rematch if he works on his cardio a little bit more.
Depends on how Itauma adjusts after the loss, physically and mentally. If he learns to pace himself, loses a few lbs to fight at like 225 for some extra speed and cardio, starts training his cardio regardless, and isn't a psychological mess after the loss, he almost certainly wins it. I know the people who were wishing for Itauma to get exposed (God forbid a 21 year old fighter is hyped) are on their high horse right now and say Itauma was never all that, but that's just denying reality. In terms of sheer talent Itauma is objectively on a different stratosphere to Hrgovic. Keep in mind, Hrgovic was already a youth amateur world champion in 2010. Itauma was 5 years old at the time. He wouldn't pick up the sport until 9, and wouldn't take it seriously until 14. By that time Hrgovic was already an Olympic medalist and a pro for a few years with 3 dozen fights if you want to count the super series. He was still made to look like he hasn't been past sparring by Itauma for 2/3rds of the fight. If Itauma actually develops his stamina, this whole "get brain damage until he gets exhausted and then start going for the kill" plan will be seen for the braindead strategy that it is in almost any scenario where a fighter doesn't gas 5 rounds in. However at the end of the day, it remains an if, and it's up to Itauma.
Hrgović will probably be long retired by the time Itauma’s truly ready for the rematch. Regardless of what Moses himself wants i don’t see his team letting him near an Iron-Jawed Heavy who can fight back for a good long while.
Hrgovic knows his weaknesses up close now, so he will probably exploit them even more effeciently in a rematch.
Theres a reason Moses would have became the second youngest heavyweight champion in the history of the sport if he,d have won. Which pretty much shows how difficult an ask it was especially without the almost essential learning fights. As good as he is....he doesnt have the experience to favour him to beat someone like Hrgovic. He has most of the tools....but as Hrgovic showed you need more than most of the tools. Not saying Moses couldnt have done it with a better gameplan but its more likely if Moses had paced his output better Hrgovic would have got to him anyway. Personally think Moses will learn more from Saturday night than he could have learned in these learning fights....he needs more learning tho. Learning the first time round usually isnt enough. He needs 4 or 5 more learning fights. Back to Franklin level for 2 or 3 fights. He was starting to tire in that fight. Then 2 or 3 bridging the gap between Franklin and Hrgovic. The problem is he wont get them when theres money to be made.
Depends on how much of a break between the rematch Moses can definitely beat him, but not the way he currently opperates
Filip wears his ass down again. And this time he would probably get in itauma’s head even more. Which in turn would cause even more anxiety come fight time.
If they actually do an immediate rematch, I think Itauma gets knocked out for real this time. I reckon he will over-train and drop weight too fast, come in way too light, which will in turn gas him out fast and mess with his sus punch resistance. I think it'll be similar to the Zhang vs Joyce rematch. If it doesn't happen immediately, I don't think it'll happen ever. But, Hrgovic is pretty arrogant, so he might take Itauma lightly, come in out of shape and lose a decision.
Provided Itauma gets a couple of 10-12 rounders in between and implements a solid game plan? No reason why Itauma can't win on points. Immediate rematch? Likely gets stopped by Hrgovic again.
The big thing people are missing about Hrgo is that he wasn't just soaking up damage until Itauma tired - he was provoking Itauma's offense. Any time Itauma flurried then rested, Hrgo was on him, prompting Itauma to throw more counters while already tired. This isn't a braindead strategy, it's boxing 101. Your opponent flurries? That's the exact moment you jump them. Hrgo did this over and over. There isn't a moment in the fight when Itauma flurries, backs off, and is allowed to rest. The idea you can just "build stamina" or "box more" is very much wrong. Hrgo wins again. Bad matchup for Itauma.
Depends when the fight occurs. Hrgovic may let himself go from here now that he's climbed Mount Everest.
I think that Moses and his people will learn from this fight. While Hrgović deserved the win you certainly can’t ignore what was being done to him before the finish. Hrgo is ponderous and one dimensional and I expect Moses to be able to win a easy decision next time around.