Eddie Hearn on Filip Hrgović: “Let’s not pretend he’s some Terminator”

Eddie Hearn has urged people not to turn Filip Hrgović into an unbeatable force after the Croatian heavyweight’s victory over Moses Itauma. “Let’s not pretend Filip Hrgović is some Terminator,” Hearn said.

Hrgović won the IBF heavyweight world title in a strong performance at London’s O2 Arena, defeating Britain’s highly regarded young prospect on points before stopping him in the ninth round. Itauma had been ahead on the scorecards until that point, leaving Hrgović in need of a finish. He gathered his remaining strength and ended the fight against an exhausted opponent.

Hearn, who worked with Hrgović for years, said the win did not erase the Croatian’s vulnerabilities. He pointed to Hrgović’s stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in the eighth round in June 2024 and said David Adeleye had also had him close to defeat in the seventh or eighth round.

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Let’s not pretend Filip Hrgović is some Terminator. Daniel Dubois dominated him and finished him. I know it was because of cuts. David Adeleye had him finished in the seventh round or whatever it was, the eighth.

“Finishing Itauma was not the same as badly hurting him,” Hearn said, describing the 21-year-old Briton as an exceptional talent. He added that the defeat could build Itauma or break him, but said the young fighter had shown heart and could learn from the experience. Hearn predicted that Itauma would return.

Hrgović’s win was the 21st of his professional career and his 16th by knockout. Boxing News 24 criticized Hearn’s remarks, arguing that the promoter was trying to minimize what Hrgović achieved. The outlet said Hrgović had survived Itauma’s best punches, imposed himself physically and stopped a fighter many considered a future world champion. It also noted that Hearn had years to arrange a Hrgović fight with Anthony Joshua, but the bout never happened, making his current criticism less convincing in the outlet’s view.

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Itauma did not hurt him like that. He is an exceptional talent, and people say this defeat will build him. It can build him or break him. It was humiliating to lose like that, and he could not get up. But he showed heart, so I think he can take a lot from this defeat. He is a great talent and will certainly come back.