Itauma Wants Hrgovic Rematch — But Sanchez Is First in Line

Moses Itauma walked into the O2 on Saturday night 14-0 with 12 knockouts and a reputation as heavyweight boxing's next big thing. He walked out with his first professional loss, a wrecked unbeaten record, and — according to promoter Frank Warren — an immediate request for a rematch against the man who did it.

Filip Hrgovic pulled off the upset, dropping the exhausted 21-year-old in round nine to take the IBF heavyweight title. Itauma had bossed the early rounds. Then Hrgovic's chin held, Itauma's gas tank didn't, and the fight flipped. Warren told talkSPORT Boxing that his fighter was still throwing punches in that final round before he folded, calling him brave and describing the rematch plea as a natural gut reaction.

Why the Rematch Has to Wait

Here's the problem with running it straight back: there's a queue. Cuba's Frank Sanchez agreed to a step-aside deal so Itauma and Hrgovic could fight for the belt, on the condition that he'd face whoever came out with it. That was the price of admission, and Sanchez is now cashing in.

Warren seemed to confirm Hrgovic-Sanchez is next, telling Itauma to switch off, spend time with his family, and recharge before thinking about a second crack at the title. Sanchez brings a 26-1 (19 KO) record and a #7 ranking into that clash, coming off a second-round stoppage of Richard Torrez. He's not a soft touch for a newly crowned champion.

The Croatia Angle

Hrgovic, for his part, has bigger geography in mind. In his post-fight interview he made clear he wants to defend on home soil in Croatia, where he hasn't fought since 2019. Warren indicated Zagreb could host the Sanchez bout, which should land within the next six months.

As for Itauma, the loss stings but it doesn't gut him. At 21, dropping to 14-1 against a heavyweight of Hrgovic's pedigree is a setback, not a burial. Warren's message was blunt enough: learn the lessons, fix the stamina, and there's still plenty of room to do great things. The rematch will keep. It just isn't next.