21 years old, never gone more than six rounds before, psyched up in front of a huge home crowd and successfully needled by Hrgovic. Crazy that his team didn't make sure that the main thing they drilled into him was pacing himself.
Holyfield was on steroids, his preacher was telling him things, he was taking too many VY taminz, his heart had a hole, etc.
When he paces he gets hit. I think he's bothered by that so he keeps throwing. He also seems really uncomfortable being a boxer. Not from an athletic pov but rather as a personality.
This was basically Dubois vs. Slow Joe Joyce all over again, except that happened during rona with no fans and no title. Itauma buried himself in front of a sold out O2 Arena
Funny watching Allegedly Warren look so embarrassed, because that's what it was, a bit like W Klitschko-Brewster I, more like Haye-Thompson...
I can't yet accept that Itauma exclusively punched himself out. Unfortunately I can't get a full proper replay online so it's hard to gauge but from the scant highlights it's clear that Hrgovic definitely hit him a good few times as early as the 2nd round. Is it a chin issue? No. But he might wear down easy. He's not a big man. He's sort of Frank Mir or Jerry Quarry.
The more I've had to think about everything that's happened and listened back to interviews with Itauma etc, the more I feel that last night was Warren fast-tracking Itauma and basically cashing out on him. Take a gamble, get him a World title while the iron is hot and then get out, because Warren and co feel that Itauma's prime will be very short-lived. Itauma himself said that he doesn't see himself being involved in boxing past the age of 27. He doesn't want to absorb punishment over a long career. His heart is not 100% in boxing it seems. The gamble didn't pay off though so will be interesting to see what happens next. I'm hoping all this isn't the case and the loss to Hrgovic will be a blessing and he'll come back better and will have a successful, long career, but now I have serious doubts.
Yeah like I said he comes across in his interviews as a very distant guy, a bit like Chris Eubank, he's figured out that boxing is all fucking bullshit and he'd rather be doing something else. Then on the same interview he's like "this is what I do best so I've got to do it" He's torn between careers and that's no good. You have to be mental to be a boxer and you have to live that shit 24/7 As for "Werren" ™ * he's a see you next Tuesday but he's a shrewd see you next Tuesday. So there might be something to it. Maybe he's threatened to leave Werren or threatened to pull the plug entirely. From a boxing pov I saw that uppercut he hit Hrgo with and you know it's the sort of moment that plants imposter syndrome in a man's head. He might be thinking he's just not cut out for this. We will see.. -------- * @meetthefeebles
I'm pretty willing to chalk that down to experience. Now he knows firsthand there are inhuman cinderblock headed freaks like Hrgovic walking the earth: adjust accordingly. Ideally with new coach/management and with some much easier 10 rounders.
Re watching it, you can see Itauma was not comfortable when Hrgovic closed the distance on him especially once his fast twitchy defensive reflexes faded a bit as he tired. He'd have Hrgovic backpedaling when he was on the offensive, but when he tried to get a breather Hrgovic walked him down and Itauma would load up on desperate hay makers to try to discourage him. He hardly needs to be James Toney, but he seemed unable to stay anywhere near the pocket without tensing up and burning energy. I think they need to work on more than just Itauma's pacing. He said in an interview that he didn't need a chin because a good fighter doesn't get hit. I don't think he had any idea how to roll with shots, smother, get a breather on the back foot etc once he'd lost his first wind and Hrgovic was still there throwing shots.
No. The ppv I understand. On the night. Over here it's customary to make the broadcast free after the fact.
I don't know, quite. I think he has a suspect energy bar. I think he can get hit and sort of immediately go to 50% battery. We will see.
It's weird with Itauma because in every fight he sets a high pace, high volume,, and that may come down to adrenaline or the way he prefers to fight. But then goes back to his corner complaining the pace is too much. And when he slows down/takes a breather, he doesn't look too comfortable. He uses his legs as a main line of defense and there's too much excessive movements and fainting. I think that's something he needs to work on too. But yeah, he has to learn more defensive manoeuvres other than his legs, especially when it seems like he has a suspect engine.
Funny thing is Hrgovic was the one being needled about fighting on "Itaumas undercard". Hrgo put him right:- Croatia is not a boxing centric place. The UK is. Hrgo was being fucked around because he's not marketable. Itauma is or was marketable to the Yookay Aesthetic market. Same way Lewis wasn't "marketable" when he was appearing on Naseem Hamed undercards in Ireland, even though Lewis was more talented and had a better career.
Yeah, but I mean Hrgovic got in his head, shit talked him in the stare down at the weigh in to the point Itauma pushed him off the stage and then got a slap in the face which got him heated. He lost his composure and probably any game plan he had as well.
I agree with others that "pacing himself" is not going to be a trivial step for Itauma. He's clearly in the habit of controlling the action with aggression and combinations. In that sense, he's a little like Tyson - may lack that cruising gear that a lot of heavyweights depend on to take breaks and recoup their strength. The good news for Ituama is he obviously has good power and so even if he doesn't adapt, he could probably still beat a lot of top guys by knocking them out. But clearly if he's going to win fights like the one saturday, he will need to enhance his style and conditioning.
Not particularly a fan of Itauma, but his loss is a tragedy, since it means that shitty ass Hrgovic is now a player again in the division. After rewatching (not drunk this time), it must also be said that Itauma lack of mental fortitude was the main factor of his defeat, not his lack of stamina (which wasnt that bad honestly). He completely unraveled after shitty ass Hrgovoc landed a few punches on him at the start of the 9th. And his defense is absolutely dreadfull. I reconsider my previous comment and feel he was a bit exposed as a fraud. Now, that doesnt means he wont bw able to develop, correct his flaws, and become a good (great fighter), but im a lot more pessimistic about that after that second watch.
This happened to me yesterday . Thankfully I have great centre of gravity so kept my balance. I did give the driver the evil eyes before I took my seat.
Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) on X heres footage of hrbovic handlin a "peak" beyonce wilder. for whatever thats worth. (not much)
