Carl Frampton backs Moses Itauma to recover after Hrgovic defeat

Carl Frampton believes Moses Itauma can recover from his defeat by Filip Hrgovic and rebuild his career in the manner of David Haye. Itauma was beaten by the Croatian in an IBF heavyweight title challenge at London’s O2 Arena last Saturday.

The result was widely unexpected, with Itauma regarded as one of Britain’s most promising young heavyweights. The 21-year-old collapsed in the ninth round and was taken to hospital on a stretcher after the contest.

Frampton said the setback should not define Itauma’s career. The former Northern Irish boxer, who won world titles in the super-bantamweight and featherweight divisions, believes Itauma can use the experience to improve before returning to the ring.

Haye provides the example Frampton has in mind. In 2004, the then 23-year-old Haye suffered the first defeat of his professional career when Carl Thompson stopped him in the fifth round at Wembley Arena. Thompson retained the IBO cruiserweight title that night.

Haye recovered without receiving an opportunity to face Thompson again. He later became a world champion at cruiserweight, holding the unified and Ring Magazine belts between 2007 and 2008, before winning the WBA heavyweight title from 2009 to 2011.

Frampton also pointed to Amir Khan as another British fighter who overcame a major early-career setback. He expects Itauma to need several weeks to process the loss but believes the young heavyweight remains highly regarded and has significant potential. Some analysts have argued that the IBF title challenge came too soon in his development.