Who Is Filip Hrgovic? The New IBF Heavyweight Champion Explained
Filip Hrgovic is the new name at the very top of heavyweight boxing. The Croatian big man stopped a previously unbeaten Moses Itauma in round nine at the O2 Arena in London to win the IBF heavyweight title, and suddenly every heavyweight in the world wants a piece of him. Here is everything you need to know.
Who is Filip Hrgovic?
Filip Hrgovic is an Croatian professional boxer who has been a fixture in the heavyweight contender ranks for years. He built his reputation as a dangerous, powerful heavyweight with a deep amateur background that gave him excellent fundamentals for such a big man.
The Olympic-level pedigree shows in the ring. He boxes like someone who was taught the sport from the ground up, with a solid jab and, crucially, serious one shot power in his right hand. That power is what finished Itauma in his biggest night.
Fighting style
Hrgovic is a classic, disciplined European heavyweight in the best way. He likes to work behind the jab, control the distance, and when the timing is there, he lets the right hand go with real intent.
Against Itauma, he started on the back foot but grew into the fight, and his body shots and consistent pressure wore his younger opponent down before the round nine knockout. It is a style built for the championship rounds, and it handled a fast, flashy opponent perfectly.
Why he matters now
Beating Itauma and taking the IBF belt changes everything. The heavyweight division is loaded, and the champion now has the biggest names in the sport lining up. His style makes for fascinating matchups against the other top heavyweights, and his power gives him a chance against anyone on the planet.
He is no longer just a tough contender. He is the champion, and the man everyone is now circling.
What makes this win special
The win is special because of the opponent. Moses Itauma was unbeaten, young, and full of momentum, the kind of talent the division had anointed as its future. Hrgovic took that future man and stopped him, which makes the victory mean more than most title wins.
Watch Hrgovic fights
Every Hrgovic fight, and the whole night of heavyweight action from the O2 Arena, is up on WATCHPEOPLEFIGHT. Browse the boxing tag for the biggest heavyweight main events, and check the knockout page for the round nine finish as soon as the clips drop. New fights land all the time.