Shakur Stevenson views Moses Itauma through an optimistic lens, assuming the prospect will inevitably bounce back to capture a world title. That best-case scenario ignores a much darker reality. The ninth-round stoppage against Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF belt may have permanently ruined the young heavyweight.
Stevenson shared his thoughts online: “Unbelievable Talent and skills, He’s young and will be a champion one day if he learn from that.. He throws every punch at 100 mph, and that can be a gift and a curse, especially in the heavyweight division!!”
He overlooks Moses’ basic flaws that are more serious than poor punch selection. Hrgovic exposed Itauma as a fighter who cannot function past six rounds. Itauma clearly suffers from severe cardio limitations, but an inability to absorb clean punches presents an even larger crisis.
Itauma looked visibly shaken by incoming fire long before fatigue set in. During the third round, Hrgovic landed only a few hard punches, yet those shots visibly troubled the 21-year-old. The ability to take a solid hit is built in. No amount of conditioning can repair a fragile chin.
If Queensberry wants to preserve the revenue stream, Frank Warren needs to borrow a page from Eddie Hearn. Hearn carefully built Anthony Joshua into a stadium-packing attraction by avoiding dangerous punchers and steering him toward beatable names until the money rolled in. Itauma has the UK following to generate huge financial returns, but only if his handlers protect him from fighters who refuse to lay down.
But if Queensberry gets overly ambitious and matches him against top contenders who can punch, another beatdown is inevitable. Hrgovic laid out the exact blueprint to defeat him. Itauma lacks the engine for twelve rounds, and his punch resistance will not magically improve in the gym. Unless his promoters stick to safe showcase fights designed purely to pack arenas, Itauma will get stopped every single time he steps into the ring with a legitimate heavyweight.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/30 at 12:41 PM
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