Filip Hrgovic becomes first Croatian IBF heavyweight champion

Filip Hrgović made history on Saturday by defeating British contender Moses Itauma to become Croatia’s first world heavyweight boxing champion. The bout, staged at the O2 Arena in London, saw Hrgović secure a unanimous decision after twelve rounds, capturing the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title. The 31‑year‑old fighter entered the ring with a 27‑2 record, having previously held the European heavyweight crown and earning a reputation for his powerful jab and disciplined footwork.

The victory marks a milestone for Croatian boxing, which has produced notable middle‑weight and light‑heavyweight champions but never a heavyweight titleholder. Hrgović’s triumph is expected to boost the sport’s profile in the Balkans and position him as a leading contender for future unification fights. The new champion expressed gratitude to his team and pledged to defend the belt against the division’s top challengers.