Filip Hrgovic, a 34-year-old Croatian professional boxer, has expressed both admiration and concern for his younger opponent, Moses Itauma, following their August bout at the O2 Arena. Hrgovic won the IBF heavyweight title in the ninth round after a closely contested match. Though Itauma, a 21-year-old southpaw from Nigeria, initially appeared to be in control, Hrgovic managed to turn the tide as the fight progressed. He admitted early on that he was "outboxed" by Itauma, who showcased exceptional speed and tactical awareness. Hrgovic praised Itauma’s skill, calling him “special,” with a unique combination of speed, talent, and intelligence. “He countered whatever I tried with his speed and timing,” Hrgovic said. He emphasized that Itauma is not just fast but also large for a southpaw, making him a rare and formidable opponent. “I never was in the ring before with such a talented kid,” Hrgovic added, noting that Itauma’s ability to combine size with speed is uncommon in the heavyweight division. Despite his admiration, Hrgovic voiced doubts about Itauma’s mental resilience after the loss. He described the defeat as a “big shock” and “humiliation” for Itauma, suggesting that such a loss could be career-ending for someone not mentally prepared to bounce back. “If he's not mentally tough, it may be the end of his career,” Hrgovic said. He acknowledged that many fighters struggle to recover from such a defeat and warned that Itauma would need to endure a grueling training camp to mentally prepare for future challenges. Hrgovic, who is aiming to unify the heavyweight division, believes that Itauma has the potential to become a dominant force in boxing if he can overcome this setback. “If he recovers from this loss, mentally, it will be hard for anyone to ever beat him again,” he said. However, he stressed that the mental aspect of boxing is often the most difficult to overcome, even for physically strong and skilled fighters like Itauma.