Boxing
'I was losing every round' - Hrgovic roars back to stop Moses
Garcia vs Benn: Watch on DAZN PPV - UK ONLY
Filip Hrgovic admitted he was "losing every round" before dramatically stopping Moses Itauma to claim the vacant IBF world heavyweight title at London's O2 Arena.
After touching the canvas in the second round, the Croatian continued to absorb punishment galore before sensing Moses was tiring towards the end of the eighth.
With renewed belief, Hrgovic came out swinging in the ninth, trapping Moses against the ropes and then in the corner before referee Howard Foster stepped in to end the fight after two minutes and 27 seconds of the round.
Foster's intervention came just before trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel after realising his man had run out of steam — leaving an elated Hrgovic to be crowned his nation's first-ever heavyweight champion.
"I was losing every round. I was outboxed," Hrgovic said in his post-fight interview. "I don't know from where I got energy in that round. It was really not my strength. It was the Holy Spirit.
"He gave me strength in this camp to endure everything, to have the best camp of my life. He put me in touch with this great coach, Abel Sanchez. I was in the best shape of my life because of him. Thanks, Jesus Christ.
"You're going to be sending Moses back to high school. Let me ask my young friend something. Is chin important? Is chin important?
"He didn't seem to think so, but I think he may have answered that question. Look, chin is important.
"He's an amazing fighter. I want to thank him for accepting this fight, to give me a chance to become a new superstar in the heavyweight division.
"I'm the present, and he's definitely the future. He's an amazing fighter. He's one of a kind. He's the best I've been in the ring with, but he needs more experience.
"He gassed out. I felt the pace of the fight. I knew I was losing rounds, but I knew that I had that pace in my favour. He was gassing out."
Frank Warren was quick to point out that Frank Sanchez would be the first to face the newly-crowned Hrgovic, having stepped aside to allow tonight's fight to take place.
But the 34-year-old Croat was having none of it. He added: "What Frank Sanchez? I want a unification. I want this guy right here, Daniel Dubois, unification. If he wins next fight,
"I want Agit Kabayel. I want a unification. Frank Sanchez will wait. He'll get another step aside. He'll make money without fighting and everyone happy."
Warren later revealed Moses, who received lengthy attention in the corner before leaving the ring, had suffered a leg injury during the fight.
The exhausted young star was taken to the dressing room on a stretcher before heading to a local hospital to be checked over.
Warren said: "Moses gave everything. He's got a leg injury. Obviously, he's got to go back and get back to the drawing board.
"He can come again. He's only a young man. He's 21. It was an opportunity, and he took it. It wasn't to be."
Watch Garcia vs. Benn in the UK only on DAZN
Britain's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12. Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.
