Hrgovic Makes Boxing History

On August 29th, the Boxing world converged on the O2 Arena in London, England to witness the crowning of a new IBF World Heavyweight champion, as the broader picture of the Heavyweight division continues heading towards a period of transition following former longtime champion Oleksandr Usyk choosing to relinquish the world championships he held in the division, choosing to focus his attention on what he says will be his final fight against an unarmed opponent before retirement. This has created several vacancies in the division that are gradually being filled with new world champions.

It was on this occasion that the world championship of the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) would be on the line and a new champion would be crowned. The element of the politics of the sport of Boxing aside, there was also history that would be made beyond the crowning of a new world champion. It would either be the crowning of the youngest British Heavyweight champion in Boxing history in Moses Itauma, or the first Croatian to be a World Heavyweight champion in Filip Hrgovic. 

Despite the historical implications that surrounded this fight regardless of the outcome minus the possibility of it being declared a draw, some had an expectation that this would be a coronation of bigger significance. This was due to the twenty-one year old Itauma not only attempting to become the youngest World Heavyweight champion in British Boxing history, but attempting to become the second youngest fighter to win a World Heavyweight title in history overall, surpassing Floyd Patterson and only behind the current record holder Mike Tyson, who became the youngest World Heavyweight champion in Boxing history nearly forty years ago as a twenty year old prodigy when he knocked out WBC world champion Trevor Berbick in November 1986.

Much like Tyson, Itauma established himself on a reputation of scoring quick and often brutal knockouts as he approached this world title opportunity against Hrgovic. Unlike Tyson, however, who entered his fight against Berbick with a record of 27-0, with 25 Knockouts, Itauma had only fourteen professional fights going into this encounter. Despite the difference between Tyson and Itauma in terms of experience prior to fighting for a world title, some compared him with the former two-time world champion and Hall of Famer based largely on the similarity in how both compiled knockouts on the way towards that milestone.

In fairness to Itauma, for a significant portion of this fight, it looked as though it was assured that he was going to etch his name right besides Tyson in the record book of Boxing history as he administered a beating to Hrgovic including scoring a knockdown of him in the second round when Hrgovic’s glove touched the canvas following being hit with a short hook to the head. For much of the bout,  the thirty-three year old Hrgovic was slow and seemed a bit reluctant to let his hands go and to engage with his younger opponent in exchanges. 

Round after round, Itauma continued to dish out punishment. As I watched the fight as it was taking place, there were two thoughts that ran through my mind. One, it was frankly a one-sided contest and I wondered if it would get to a point where either Hrgovic’s corner or Referee Howard Foster might stop the fight to prevent him from further punishment, despite Hrgovic showing a granite chin throughout. Two, though I certainly did not agree with the strategy, if there was one due to the beating he was talking with not much defense, I wondered aloud as to whether or not, Hrgovic was attempting to make Itauma punch himself out.

It is important to remember, despite the comparison to Mike Tyson and the touted praise that had been placed upon him, Moses Itauma had never been extended into the deep waters of a fight, otherwise known as the middle and late rounds, and had not been pushed to a distance close to the twelve round world championship distance in his career. In contrast, Mike Tyson was forced to go ten rounds against James “Quick” Tillis earlier in 1986 before facing Berbick for the WBC world championship. The combination of length of overall experience as well as never having gone beyond six rounds before was something to consider for Itauma.

Fatigue began to become visible in that though he was winning the fight clearly on points, Itauma’s offensive output began to subtly decline as the fight progressed. Whether it was due to the resistance of Hrgovic being able to withstand whatever Itauma was able to throw at him or an expectation of Itauma and his camp that the fight would not go into the middle and late rounds, by round seven there were signs that Itauma, though still in control of the fight, was beginning to slip.

Although Itauma was continuing to come forward and pressing the action, the steam behind his punches were noticeably less as the fight moved beyond the sixth round. In round eight, Itauma briefly stunned Hrgovic with a right hand from the southpaw stance that led to Itauma pressing the issue and throwing punches with knockout intention. This amounted to what would turn out to be a last gasp for Itauma as in round nine, he began throwing punches wildly. It is worth noting that it was also in the ninth round that Hrgovic did something he had not done in the contest up to that point. He was now the one coming forward and forcing the issue. The change in tempo combined with obvious exhaustion of Itauma led to Hrgovic landing some shots while Itauma continued to flail his punches, which at point did not have much on them and struggled to stay on his feet. The combination of all the above ultimately led to Hrgovic landing a few more shots before both Referee Howard Foster, who stepped in and Itauma’s corner simultaneously threw the towel in to stop the fight as Itauma collapsed in a neutral corner.

An unlikely come from behind victory for Filip Hrgovic that makes him not only a World Heavyweight champion, but the first Croatian-born World Heavyweight champion in Boxing history. While some may dismiss that accomplishment, at the end of the day, Filip Hrgovic did what he had to do and was able to walk away with the IBF world championship. 

As there always seems to be in Boxing, particularly in the era we presently live in where there are no shortage of opinions and reactions, some were critical of Itauma and responded online with mocking laughter at this setback. While this observer is known for calling out such conduct in pointing out how some choose to allow fandom to cloud their judgement and thus engage in conduct, particularly online that they might not otherwise engage in, after covering this fight, I immediately began to think of another scenario where a highly touted prospect/contender had a misstep in a similar way as Itauma had in this fight. One fight came to mind. 

In May 1984 at the Wembley Arena, also in London, England, another Heavyweight who was seemingly on a fast-track towards a world title, Frank Bruno entered the ring to do battle with James “Bonecrusher” Smith in a ten round bout. Though not for a world title, at the time of the bout Bruno had won all twenty of his professional fights up to that point, with all those wins coming by knockout. Smith entered the encounter largely unknown at that time, but entered with a 13-1, with 12 Knockouts. 

Similar to Itauma-Hrgovic, Bruno dominated the fight from the opening bell forcing the action and winning every round. In the tenth and final round, Bruno, fighting fatigue, found himself trapped on the ropes by Smith as the fighter known as “Bonecrusher” unleashed a barrage of hard punches that ultimately put Bruno down on the canvas. Bruno was unable to beat the count, Smith had scored a come from behind knockout win that would ultimately lead to him challenging for a world title later in 1984. Both Bruno and Smith would eventually become world champions during their respective careers and become cornerstones of the Heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s.

While not intended as a direct comparison by yours truly, it does serve as an example as to how one fight should not label a fighter and how one setback should be viewed as a bump in the road over the course of a career, not a career-ender. For his part, Itauma, who left the ring on a stretcher following being stopped by Hrgovic due to a claimed leg injury by promoter Frank Warren as well as likely exhaustion, was gracious in defeat saying he lost to a more experienced man and saying he will be back. 

One should keep in mind that in Boxing and by extension combat sports, anything can happen at any given time and that especially holds true when discussing Heavyweights. Although it would not surprise me to see Itauma go back to the drawing board and look to get a few wins under his belt in 2027 before trying to challenge for a world title again and perhaps a rematch with Hrgovic, he is after all only twenty-one years old, he has nothing but time to bounce back and if he can do so and make the necessary adjustments, this loss to Filip Hrgovic will be a chapter rather than the conclusion of his story.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1 

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1  

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1      

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social  

Pauls-Bentley Headline Queensberry Unofficial Debut On DAZN

One month ago, the Boxing world was buzzing as it was announced that Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren and his Queensberry Promotions promotional company had signed a multi-year landmark worldwide broadcast deal with digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN to officially begin in April of 2025. While some Boxing fans here in the United States may remember several cards promoted by Warren held in the United Kingdom being televised by the now defunct Showtime Sports many years ago featuring fighters such legends as Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, Prince Naseem Hamed among others, as well as other events sprinkled among different networks as time has gone on, even with the advent of streaming, there has not been one consistent broadcast outlet for the UK-based Queensberry Promotions in this country. While some events have been aired through digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ in recent years, it has been periodic access at best for U.S. Boxing fans. 

In this aspect, the announcement of Warren joining DAZN on a global scale, which will include the United States as well as the United Kingdom, which will also put Queensberry Promotions on the same broadcast platform as its longtime promotional rival Matchroom Boxing and its current head Eddie Hearn, something that should also be viewed as a significant positive for the sport as both have shown a willingness to co-promote in recent years, the global agreement for Queensberry Promotions does not indeed begin until next April. For Boxing fans in the United States, however, there will be something akin to a soft launch of this new agreement and new era for the sport as Queensberry Promotions will present a Boxing card on December 7th, which can be seen on DAZN from the Wembley Arena in London, England. 

Headlining the card will be a twelve round bout for the vacant European Middleweight championship and British Middleweight championship as current British Middleweight champion Brad Pauls will defend his British crown against former British Middleweight champion Denzel Bentley. This is an encounter between two rising stars in the Queensberry stable with bragging rights in terms of the British championship scene on the line. 

Pauls, who will enter the bout with a record of 19-1-1, with 11 Knockouts, will be making the second defense of the British Middleweight crown. The champion is coming off back to back fights with former British Middleweight champion Nathan Heaney, where he earned a draw in the first bout and a twelfth round stoppage in the rematch in July to win the title. 

Ironically, it was Heaney, who became British Middleweight champion himself by defeating Denzel Bentley in November of last year. Bentley, who comes into this bout with a record of 20-3-1, with 17 Knockouts is coming off two knockout wins in his two outings since that loss to Heaney including a second round stoppage of Derrick Osaze in his last fight in August. While this has all the appearance of an evenly matched fight on paper, some may give a slight edge to Bentley in terms of punching power. Nevertheless this figures to be a competitive bout between champion and challenger.

What is also at stake here in this fight in addition to the British Middleweight championship is the vacant European Middleweight championship. A championship that not only serves as an elevation for fighters moving up into the world rankings, but one that has been held by former world champions Alan Minter, Darren Barker, and Sumbu Kalambay among others. Will Pauls or Bentley be the next European Middleweight champion to eventually become a world champion? Only time will tell, but challenging for the European crown represents a crucial step towards that ultimate goal. We will see who will be able to make that step on Saturday, December 7th.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Pauls vs. Bentley takes place on Saturday, December 7th at the Wembley Arena in London, England. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT (*May be available on DAZN in other countries check schedule for availability in your country.*) 

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1    

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1 

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1 

A Historical Moment For The Sport Of Boxing: Taylor-Serrano

 

It is something that this observer has gotten used to saying as years have gone by, but yours truly has been writing about and covering the sport of Boxing for most of his life. In that time, I have seen plenty of things that I often refer to as “Black Eyes” in that it effects Boxing in negative ways. While obviously over the course of one’s journey covering the sport there are also plenty of good things that occur, I would be lying to the reader if I said that the negative elements that surround the sport do not get the majority of coverage throughout those of us in media that cover Boxing.

 

One thing that I personally saw as a negative from when I began writing in the mid-1990’s that I unfortunately saw continue for a lengthy period of time was the perception of how Women’s Boxing was viewed by many. Despite the fact that Women’s Boxing dates back as far as the1960’s, the female fighters in the sport did not get the opportunity to benefit from television exposure until the mid-1990’s when Christy Martin made a name for herself being showcased on Don King promoted cards, often on the undercard of marquee pay-per-view events, where more often than not Martin's bouts stole the show due in part to her crowd pleasing action style.

 

While it was seeing several of Martin's bouts that I saw in my youth in my early days as a writer that introduced me to Women’s Boxing and it was undeniable in my view what fighters like Christy Martin did for the sport for women and as I began trying to incorporate coverage of Women’s bouts, I kept hearing one consistent thing from many that would talk about the sport with me that frankly got under my skin. The perception that Women’s Boxing would never be taken as seriously as the sport is for men and that it was treated as a side show. Although I obviously disagreed with such statements/points of view, it was hard to make a case based largely on how the sport for women was showcased or lack thereof here on the United States as if you did not see a women’s bout showcased on a pay-per-view undercard, it was rare to see a women’s bout on network or cable television for years. With the rare exceptions of a Christy Martin bout or a Laila Ali bout for example, consistent television exposure for the women in the sport remained a struggle for years. An illustration of this was premium cable network HBO's refusal for many years to broadcast women’s bouts on their network beyond an obscene pay-per-view undercard bout. Sadly for HBO, the decision to finally showcase a women’s bout on their network would come in the final fight the network would broadcast before exiting the sport in 2018 after a forty-five year run broadcasting the sport.

 

HBO’s exit from the sport is a subject that will be debated for many years and even though it indisputable that several factors led to the network’s exit, the lack of consistently showcasing women’s bouts including its outright refusal to air women’s bouts on their network was at least one of those factors as it  eliminated the potential to increase their audience by opening the sport to new eyes that may not have been interested in Boxing otherwise. Such a reluctance by a network once regarded as one of the power players in the sport as well as very sporadic exposure for Women’s Boxing by other networks involved in Boxing seriously delayed the growth of the sport for women in this observer's eyes.

 

Out of respect for those who follow my coverage of the sport regularly, I will not do a rehash of the long overdue progress that the women of the sport have been able to make in the last several years, which thankfully has seen women’s bouts featured regularly on both traditional and digital streaming networks and featured in main event positions. This has been particularly noticeable here in the United States as it should be noted that women’s bouts have headlined Boxing cards also featuring men’s bouts for several years internationally.

 

The progress that has been made for the women who compete in the sport is undeniable however, and it was such progress that finally led to a truly historic moment for Boxing. This observer is referring to the April 30^th encounter for the Undisputed Women’s Lightweight championship of the world between undefeated longtime world champion Katie Taylor and seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano. What made this fight so historic beyond the true rarity of the consensus number one and two fighters in the sport meeting in the eyes of many, was it was the first time a women’s bout would headline a Boxing card in Madison Square Garden in over 140-year history of the historic venue through its various incarnations.

 

When I was first notified that the bout would take place and the circumstances of the location of the fight as well as the fact that it would be the main event, I immediately felt the anticipation that would accompany any major fight in the sport, whether it be a men’s bout or a women’s bout. As someone who has advocated for Women’s Boxing however, it was something that I looked forward to for the reason that it would finally bring long overdue recognition on arguably Boxing’s biggest stage to the women of the sport. While in the days prior to the fight I commented through social media platforms that I felt that fighters such as Christy Martin should have had the opportunity to headline a Boxing card in Madison Square Garden long ago, particularly because of the exposure Martin was able to give the sport for women, this was the right fight at the right time to break this barrier down for female fighters.

 

Not only did the bout between Taylor and Serrano bring together two world champions who are at the top of the sport, but it also showcased the evolution of Women’s Boxing in the sense that both women brought into the fight sizable fan followings and the sport overall is more mainstream in present day than it has ever been. The fight also pitted two highly skilled fighters against each other and that fact alone added intrigue to the historical significance of this fight.

 

With a crowd of over nineteen thousand spectators jammed into Madison Square Garden, Taylor and Serrano lived up to the anticipation and simply put on a show from the opening bell.  Although I always intended to cover this fight, I made the decision in the week or so prior to the bout taking place to sit and observe the atmosphere of the event and take it in though I was not in attendance at the venue simply known as “The Garden.” After many years of being questioned as to why I cover women’s bouts as well as men’s bouts and hearing the aforementioned points of view, I simply wanted to sit back and enjoy what I knew long ago what Women’s Boxing was capable of in drawing a sell out crowd in an iconic venue and producing an atmosphere and anticipation prior to the fight that was akin to any major fight that has taken place in the sport.

 

In the interest of honesty with the reader I will also admit that I did get emotional watching this fight for those reasons. The fight itself was also a reason for it as the two world champions showcased all the aspects that make Boxing great. While the current Featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano moved up two weight divisions for this fight, it was not surprising to see her try to cut the ring off from Taylor who spent the early rounds using lateral movement to maintain distance and combination punching to outwork Serrano. Despite being the naturally smaller fighter even though Serrano has made a career moving up and down through weight divisions with ease, it became clear early on that she had the edge in terms of punching power as whenever she landed punches, they tended to be flush and hurt Taylor.

 

It was not long before tactical Boxing gave way to a toe to toe battle in the middle rounds where Serrano got the better of the action including being able to have Taylor badly hurt in the fifth round with a barrage of offense that gave the appearance that the champion was on the verge of being stopped. The champion however, would respond surviving the onslaught and fighting back Over the course of the fight, both fighters would suffer cuts and for me personally, I began to have flashbacks of a fight in March 1996 between Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty, which took place on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s second bout with Frank Bruno. The bout between Martin and Gogarty was an all out war, but one that was only scheduled for six rounds. This bout between Taylor and Serrano was scheduled for the Women’s championship distance of ten rounds, but the action between the two reminded me of that encounter between Martin and Gogarty twenty-six years ago, which was also one of the first women’s bouts I covered in my early days as a writer.

 

Despite the ebb and flow seeming to favor Serrano after the offensive surge in the middle rounds, Taylor would respond in the closing rounds by reverting back slightly to looking to out box Serrano, which appeared at least in my eyes to turn things back around in her favor in a fight as she seemed to outwork Serrano in the closing rounds.  At the end of the ten round world championship bout received a standing ovation from the crowd inside Madison Square Garden.

 

As is the case with many women’s bouts due largely to the two minute length in rounds, I felt the fight was very close and could go either way. This was due to both fighters having significant periods where they were effective. When it comes to close fights it more often than not will boil down to what a judge prefers in their own criteria based on clean punching, effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and defense that will determine who will get the nod in terms of scoring.

 

In this case, Taylor was effective in several rounds in being able to control distance with her lateral movement and combination punching. Serrano meanwhile was the consistent aggressor throughout much of the fight and landed the harder punches in my view. It became a question of whether Taylor’s movement and combination punching particularly in the early rounds as well as the closing rounds would be enough for her to retain her title. While I felt this fight could have gone either way and frankly expected to hear the official decision to be a draw based on these aspects and how close the fight was, at the end of the ten round world championship bout, I arrived with a scorecard of 95-93 in favor of Taylor as I felt her rally on the late rounds was enough to earn the decision.

 

Despite my point of view, it was no surprise to see a split decision rendered in this fight with Taylor getting the nod of two official judges in winning a hard fought decision to retain her undisputed crown. While some have expressed criticism of the decision, it was a fight that truly could have gone either way and as I said, even though I had Taylor ahead by what amounted to two rounds, I expected to hear that the fight was a draw.

 

An obvious question is whether a rematch will take place. Obviously, the old saying that more often than not applies to the sport of Boxing, “If it makes money, it makes sense” can be applied here. From my perspective a rematch is logical not only based on what took place in the ring, which frankly was one of the better fights I have seen or covered in recent memory, but also the historical significance of the event.

 

While I hope the progression for Women’s Boxing continues and will eventually include the implementation of three minute rounds, as was done for women’s bouts in the delayed 2020 Olympics as well as increasing the world championship round distance to twelve rounds, which would put Women’s Boxing on equal footing with the men who compete in the sport, in closing I would like to repeat what I said on social media shortly after the fight concluded.  Women’s Boxing take a bow and enjoy the overdue recognition the women of the sport have fought decades for.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison