Did Itauma make big training mistake for Hrgovic world title fight?

Moses' first world title charge was halted by referee Howard Foster in the ninth round. The 21-year-old was in control through seven sessions, but Hgrovic's chin and body was absorbing everything thrown at him. 

While Moses' fast start was impressive, it eventually worked against him, and with clear signs of exhaustion prevalent, Hrgovic stepped up the pressure, landing many punches of his own against a shaky Moses who was saved by the referee. 

In the immediate aftermath, promoter Frank Warren revealed Moses had suffered a leg injury, but was Moses ever ready to go the full 12 rounds after making this big admission during his training camp?

Moses admits to not doing 12-round spar in training

A lot of the excitement surrounding Moses came from how quickly he got rid of his opponents. 

Going into the Hrgovic fight, Moses won 12 of his 14 professional fights by knockout, and whoever stood in front of him struggled to give him the much needed rounds to be successful at world level. 

Facing Hrgovic was a huge step up. With an extensive amateur background, the Croatian would be ready to take Moses into the deep waters, and it appears the British fighter is yet to experience what it's like going into the later rounds, even in training camp. 

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Hrgovic stuns Moses to become IBF champion

Watch: Croatian upsets Briton to earn heavyweight crown

 

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Following Saturday night's defeat, a clip from talkSPORT has resurfaced in the build-up to the bout where Moses admits that he cannot remember if he has partaken in a 12-round spar when training for his fights.

"If I’m being completely honest, I don’t know if I’ve done a 12-round spar. I might have but I wouldn’t recall," Moses said. "I’m about to get slaughtered in the comments."

When Moses was questioned whether he would like to find out what it feels like to box in the later rounds of fights, he stated that he only wanted to be in the ring for as long as he needed to be. 

"There’s no need to be in the ring longer than you need to be.

"Whether I knock Filip Hrgovic out in the first or last , I’m still going to get paid the same." 

Watch Garcia vs. Benn in the UK only on DAZN

Britian'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.

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