Chisora Warns Itauma: A Hrgovic Rematch Ends the Same Way

Moses Itauma wants his belt back, and fast. Derek Chisora thinks that's exactly the wrong move. The 21-year-old, now 14-1 (12 KO) after Filip Hrgovic handed him the first loss of his career last month, has already asked for an immediate rematch with the IBF champion. Chisora, speaking on the Fight Your Corner Podcast, reckons a second fight plays out identically.

The logic is uncomfortable but tidy. Chisora describes Hrgovic's approach as a new spin on the rope-a-dope: walk Itauma down, soak up the early fire, and wait. If the punches don't drop the granite-chinned Croatian, Chisora argues, then somewhere around rounds 10 to 12 Hrgovic gets his man and stops him. That's essentially what happened the first time.

How It Fell Apart

Itauma's skill edge was obvious in the opening rounds. He was landing snapping shots at will, and for a while it looked like a coronation. But Hrgovic refused to fold, and Itauma burned through his fuel trying to force the finish. By the ninth he was running on empty, and the Croatian closed the show in one of 2026's biggest upsets.

That's the danger Chisora is flagging. Hrgovic now has the blueprint. He knows Itauma will empty the tank early, and he knows how to survive it. A rematch hands the champion a fight he's already solved once.

What's Actually Next

The point may be moot anyway. Hrgovic isn't waiting around for a return bout. He's set to make the first defence of his IBF crown against Cuban mandatory Frank Sanchez inside the next four months. Sanchez, ranked #7 at 26-1 (19 KO), is coming off a second-round knockout of Richard Torrez and represents a live threat in his own right.

So Itauma's path back doesn't run straight through Hrgovic — at least not yet. And if Chisora's read is correct, the 21-year-old is better off rebuilding, adjusting his engine, and waiting for the champion to come back around. Chisora knows a thing or two about heavyweight patience across a 36-14 career. Whether Itauma's camp listens is another matter entirely.