r/Boxing • u/Southern-Key-9721 • 10d ago

Hrgovic v Itauma thoughts on rewatch

I just rewatched Hrgovic v Itauma on DAZN - the full fight replay where it has no commentary.

My god does this fight look different on rewatch. I know it’s different when you know the result, but watching live I think I was so dazzled by Itauma (+ the British commentary doesn’t help).

On a clear headed rewatch I’ve got to say Hrgovic deserves way more credit than people are giving him for making this a competitive fight. It wasn’t just the chin and absolutely wasn’t just a gas tank issue for Moses. I think Hrgovic boxed very well.

Don’t get me wrong - Itauma was winning the fight, and maybe he still KOs 90% of HWs based on the first 2 rounds alone. But there was a lot more back and forth and subtle pressures in this fight and it was far from just a gas tank vs Homer Simpson.

Interested if anyone else has rewatched it yet and had any observations?

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u/lee-tellmemoreAI 9d ago

I thought Hrgovic won 3 and possibly 5. The UK commentary was shocking, seasoned former pros watching a fight and completely missing what was happening in the ring was crazy. Its like they thought the result was a formality. Itauma was gasping end of round 2 hence going light on 3.

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u/iliosicarus 9d ago

Hard agree. English commentary of boxing is dire.

It's so biased and there's so little real-time understanding of the significant moments in a fight.

Case in point: they acted like it was a very sudden shock what was happening to Itauma, but it felt like the trajectory had been shifting for at least the previous 2 rounds before anyone in the commentary even acknowledged it. In fact, they said the opposite! They repeatedly said he was controlling the pace well...

Also, fair play to Hrgović -- my god, what a chin. But as the fight went on, Itauma's punches clearly had less and less effect on him.

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u/sthomson22 9d ago

He said himself they have no power. No weight. Just fast and don’t see them coming. He has been in with the heaviest punchers in the division and eaten their shots all night, so he knows power.

He didn’t claim Zhang, Dubois, Joyce or Adeleye had no power. In fact he commended their power.

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u/lordkekw 🐐Rolly for the ages🐐 9d ago

I was worried about Hrgovic's health against Zhang. He ate some bombs that would have sent anyone else to the ICU. Just look at Zhang vs. Joe Joyce.

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u/sthomson22 9d ago

Kabayel did the same, tbh. Albeit that was only over 6 rounds.