Moses Itauma has been told to sack his team just days after losing to Filip Hrgovic in their heavyweight world title fight at the O2 Arena. Former two-division champion Tim Bradley has criticised coach Ben Davison for failing to get the 21-year-old ready for a 12-round contest with the Croatian.
Defeat ends title bid
Itauma fell short in his attempt to become the second youngest heavyweight champion on Saturday, despite winning every round before being stopped in the ninth. Referee Howard Foster stepped in and waved off the IBF title fight after Hrgovic landed a flurry of blows on the Chatham fighter.
Itauma emptied the gas tank in pursuit of a knockout victory, but Bradley said the approach was flawed. “If you’ve got a high boxing IQ like they say you do, now, you’ve got skills. Your boxing IQ is marginal, bro, and your corner is even worse,” said Bradley on his channel.
Bradley's criticism of the corner
“You didn’t see this dude just playing defence on you. That’s all he was doing. You’re working your ass off trying to force a knockout. That’s what happens when you try to force a knockout,” he added.
Bradley continued his rant, urging Itauma to fire his team. "Ben Davison, your team is whack! Moses Itauma, fire your team. They did not have you ready for this s***. They did not have you ready mentally. They did not have you ready tactically at all. They had some technical s*** that you had to do."
Conditioning questioned
"You could have handled that s*** yourself. But they did not get you ready conditioning-wise, physically they did not get you ready at all. You weren't going six rounds. You weren't going nine rounds. You were going 12 hard rounds. People are saying 'he's inexperienced, he's only been six rounds.' Bulls***, you know heavyweights get ready in the gym," said the former world champion.
Bradley added: "You need a whole new team! They failed you. You have got too many yes men around you."
Itauma's response
Itauma broke his silence after suffering the first defeat of his professional career, insisting it will make him rather than break him. He said: "So yesterday wasn't my night. We attempted greatness, and we just fell short to the more experienced man. I want to say congratulations to Filip Hrgovic on his win, and although I never reached my desired outcome, I believe I gained experience that I'll take to my future fights."
"I want to thank the fans in and outside the arena. You guys made it a little bit more special and a little bit more electrifying than I expected. It was a f***ing good fight, and I want to thank Queensberry and DAZN for putting this show on. So, God bless, take care, and I'll be back."
