Photo Credit: Former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew / PunchNG
Bellew Backs Itauma to Avenge Hrgovic Defeat in Rematch

Former WBC cruiserweight world champion, Tony Bellew has backed British-Nigerian heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma to defeat Filip Hrgovic if both men meet again.

Hrgovic caused a major upset last month at the O2 Arena in London when he stopped the previously unbeaten Itauma in the ninth round to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title and become Croatia’s first-ever heavyweight world champion.

Itauma, who was aiming to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion in history, had started strongly — dropping Hrgovic in the second round and controlling much of the fight — before running out of gas in the championship rounds, leading to the stoppage in round nine. He immediately called for a rematch after the loss.

Speaking on the Fight Your Corner Podcast, Bellew said he believes the 21-year-old would get his revenge due to his superior technical ability.
“I think that he beats Filip Hrgovic in a rematch. I just think that he is technically so good. Did Hrgovic hurt Itauma the first time? I don’t think he did; I think he was just exhausted,” Bellew said.
However, a second fight may not happen immediately. Hrgovic is understood to be lined up to defend his IBF belt against Cuba’s Frank Sanchez, the mandatory challenger who had stepped aside to allow the Itauma vs Hrgovic vacant title fight to happen.

Source: PunchNG