Filip Hrgovic survives horror cut to outclass brave Brit David Adeleye on Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte undercard
The fearless Ladbroke Road lad took on the 2016 Olympic bronze winner in Saudi and had to drag himself off the sand in round eight.
3
He threw the kitchen sink at the respected veteran but the three ringside judges scored the bout 98-91, 99-90 and 99-90.
The West Londoner made the brave decision to start fast, pinging orthodox jabs up at the 6ft 6in Croatian's handsome and hard dome.
Hrgovic pushed him back with body attacks but when he popped out a limp jab, Adeleye landed the shot of the round, an overhand right, that should have banked the opener for him with the judges.
The only defeat on Hrgovic's 18-1 career came last year when he battered Daniel Dubois for a few rounds before being stopped over gruesome cuts around both eyes.
And - by the second round - after dozens of decent straight jabs the right eye was ripped open again and leaking blood into his vision.
The bookies' favourite remained dangerous, plodding toward Adeleye like Adams Family butler Lurch.
But the Brit was picking him off at range, sometimes on the backfoot, and slashing further at the oozing wounds.
Hrgovic kept ploughing into the pugilist with the Portobello Road tattoo but Adeleye grinned back at his best blows.
3
ITAUMA VS WHYTE LIVE BLOG - FOLLOW UPDATES FROM HUGE HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT
Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte - all the info
One of the biggest fights of the year has arrived!
The highly-touted Moses Itauma faces the biggest test of his fledgling career as he steps into the ring with Dillian Whyte on Saturday night.
Itauma, 20, has great expectations on his shoulders - he has been compared to Mike Tyson and is expected by many to dominate boxing's heavyweight division over the next decade.
But the Slovakian-born star - who sits at 12-0 (10KOs) is yet to face a test anywhere close to what Whyte can offer.
The Body Snatcher is now 37 and has not looked great in his last couple of fights, but the former world title challenger knows an upset win would catapult him right back to the top table.
Watch Itauma vs Whyte LIVE on DAZN
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the fight...
INFO
Start time, TV channel and live stream - all the info
How to watch Itauma vs Whyte for £19.99
Tickets - all the info for Itauma vs Whyte in Saudi Arabia
What is Moses Itauma's real name and why did he change it?
LATEST NEWS
And just before the bell, when looking pinned into a neutral corner, the Englishman landed a beautiful left hook - punch of the night hitherto - and buzzed the bloodied giant.
Both men wasted time and energy in the fourth, Hrgovic hammering blows into Adeleye's inked abs or high guard and the left hook replies missing by miles.
Hrgovic showed glimpses of his 2016 Olympic pedigree in the fifth but his body-attack strategy was baffling.
And before the sixth even started, both 17st hulks looked exhausted and started cuddling more than punching.
Hrgovic dominated a dull sixth, when Adeleye was running on fumes and looking increasingly vulnerable and ringside Derek Chisora yelled 'you need a knockout, bro' before the seventh started.
Adeleye listened and started the session with some crisp scoring shots but it was short lived as his engine betrayed him again after around 30 seconds.
Adeleye was whacked by a massive right hand at the start of the eighth but he stuck his tongue out and roared in the silent little arena before getting dropped and taking a count.
Brilliantly he bounced back up to his white boots and then smashed Hrgovic around the ring until he nearly collapsed, but our boy could not score a revenge knockdown before the bell.
Hrgovic was cautious and clever in the final two sessions but Adeleye emptied the tank and came up just short in a joyride he can be proud of.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
Ian Poulter's miraculous run of birdies saves LIV future... and relegates Henrik Stenson
Ian Poulter produced an incredible four-birdie finish in Indianapolis on Sunday night to save himself from expulsion from LIV Golf – but consign team-mate Henrik Stenson to relegation. The Saudi-funded breakaway league has been accused of lacking drama and of being devoid of jeopardy for the multi-millionaire stars it has signed since its inception in 2022. But these charges certainly could not be levelled on an astonishing afternoon at Chatham Hills. Granted, Poulter's most famous comeback will always be the quintet of birdies with which the Englishman closed at the 2012 Ryder Cup to inspire the 'Miracle of Medinah' – when Europe rose from the sporting dead to overhaul Team USA – but in terms of significance Stenson might believe this to be a harrowing rival. The Swede, a close friend and long-time neighbour of Poulter's in Orlando, seemed secure as the last individual event of the LIV campaign entered its concluding hour. But then, Poulter did what Poulter does when his back is to the wall and with a remarkable stretch ensured that he survived to play at least another season on the circuit with cumulative prize pots of more than £300m. Certainly a tie for 17th – following a 67 for a 12-under total – has never before seemed so lucrative. In contrast, alongside Poulter as a co-captain of the Majesticks outfit, Stenson's one-over 72 for an 11-under total, will feel absurdly costly. Stenson, the 2016 Open champion, began the final round in a share for third and looking upwards rather than downwards. But now, he will be desperate for a tour worthy of his stature on which to play. The traditionalists who despise LIV will no doubt cite karma. Three years ago, Stenson effectively gave up the Ryder Cup captaincy to jump ship with what was reported to be a £30m-plus joining fee. Sympathy might be in short supply as Stenson has since earned a further £11m. However, where he goes next is a big question. As it would have been for Poulter. Those who finished outside the top 48 in the points standings lost their cards. This was a departure from last year, where Bubba Watson, despite finishing 53rd was allowed to return for this year after making 'a business case' to be retained on the Range Goats, the team of which he is skipper. Branden Grace was also given a stay of execution. That scenario was widely criticised and held up as one of the reasons why the league should not be awarded official status with the Official World Golf Rankings. Yet since Scott O'Neil arrived in January to replace Greg Norman as chief executive, LIV has resubmitted its application to join OGWR and so give its golfers greater access to the majors at the same time as affording the four-year-old project more credibility. This stricter stance can surely be viewed as LIV persuading the OGWR that it meets its competitive criteria. Any hopes among those languishing in the standings that LIV would be as lax in applying its relegation rules were left disappointed by a recent missive from the executive that spelt out the urgency of the situation. Relegation means relegation this year and there will be no leeway. So Poulter, Stenson and co were acutely aware of what was on the line. Lee Westwood, the other Majesticks co-captain, was also under threat, but he shot a gutsy 66 to escape the chop. Unless Stenson can either top the Asian Tour's International Series – which has six tournaments left in 2025, or come through the LIV Golf promotions tournament in December, where only the winner in a 100-golfer plus shoot-out will win a LIV place – then the Majesticks will need a new fourth man. If circumstances demand, an intriguing return to the DP World Tour is possible for Stenson. He resigned his membership two years ago after he was part of a group of rebel players who lost an appeal against the Tour – with a London hearing adjudicating that Wentworth HQ was within its rights to issue fines and suspension – but he is only required to pay the outstanding fines to reclaim playing privileges on the circuit where he established himself. At the other end of the standings, Jon Rahm pocketed the near £14m bonus for topping the order of merit – despite not having won an event all year. Joaquin Niemann lifted five titles in 2025, but due to the Spaniard's consistency – he finished in the top 10 in 12 of the 13 tournaments – the Chilean had to settle for second place. . @JonRahmOfficial lifts the Individual Championship trophy for the second time 🏆🏆 #LIVGolfIndy @LegionXIIIgc — LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) August 17, 2025 It is a farcical scenario in certain respects, but there can be no doubting Rahm's quality in Indianapolis. He made 10 birdies and an eagle, together with the single bogey to record an 11-under 60. That was good enough to take him into a play-off with Sebastian Munoz, the Mexican who fired a 59 in Friday's first round. But Munoz prevailed to demote Rahm to his second runner-up spot in a row and his third of the season. And there was that lucrative consolation awaiting. 'I feel slightly bittersweet,' Rahm said. 'Like I know I'm supposed to be happy, but it just doesn't feel great to finish the year losing two play-offs. Joaquin has won five times, has played incredible golf, and one could argue he was probably the more deserving guy to win this. 'But we have the points system that we have, and somehow, I don't know how, I managed to pull through and get it done.' Penge eyes Ryder Cup spot Meanwhile, on the DP World Tour, Marco Penge capitalised on Rasmus Hojgaard's mid-round collapse to clinch his second tour title at the Danish Golf Championship. The Englishman has put himself in contention for a Ryder Cup spot, with only a week left in Europe's qualifying race. The moment Marco Penge claimed his second DP World Tour victory on his 56th start 👏🏴 #DanishGolf — DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 17, 2025 Penge, who served a ban earlier in the season because of breaking the tour's gambling rules, heads to the British Masters – which starts at the Belfry on Thursday – believing that another good display could force Luke Donald's hand when it comes to the Europe captain naming his six wildcards on September 1. 'It's the reason why I'm here. I'm playing six weeks on the trot and give it my all to try and do something,' said Penge. 'I've got my own little goals in my mind and my own drivers. I'm just trying to play as well as I can every week and see what happens, really.'
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Moses Itauma reminds me of a young Mike Tyson... it's a matter of when not if he wins a title, writes JEFF POWELL
Not since Mike Tyson started thundering towards his prime has boxing witnessed such ominous power punching from a novice. Saturday night's demolition of dear old Dillian Whyte in Riyadh begs the question as to when – not if – Moses Itauma will win a world heavyweight title. Iron Mike began his reign of terror by felling bigger American brothers like trees. Holy Moses, the new kid on the chopping block is English. Albeit by way of immigration to Chatham from Slovakia when he was four years of age. If today's prize-fighters boxed as frequently at their predecessors Itauma might well have broken Tyson's record as the youngest heavyweight champion of them all. As it is now, he looks destined to strap on one of those glitzy alpha-belts when just 21. This latest sojourn in the desert is by no means the first time he has despatched an opponent in less than two rounds. The 13th victory on his unbeaten record followed knock outs that rapid in ten of the previous 12 fights. As for Whyte, he was gone in 119 seconds. While he was unscrambling his senses all the talk turned to who should be next on Itauma's deadly dance card. His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, whose investment of hundreds of millions of Saudi Arabia's oil dollars is revolutionising big-time boxing, was quick to propose undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Wiser counsellors mention New Zealand's rejuvenated former world champion Joseph Parker and Germany's own undefeated knock-out artist Agit Kabayel, who Itauma generously declared deserving of their shots at the title 'before I take over.' And why not? Daniel Dubois, despite being knocked out twice by Usyk, is young enough to come back and still carries the dynamite punch which destroyed Anthony Joshua. He and Itauma would be a case of who lands first wins. As for Usyk himself, at 38 he believes he has two fights left in him following his destruction of Daniel Dubois. Ukraine's grandmaster of the Noble Art could offer Parker a chance before cashing out with a nine-figure bonanza against YouTube and now Netflix cult sensation Jake Paul. Potentially that would set up Itauma to fight for the vacant title late next summer. Whoever gets the nod will surely offer sterner resistance than Whyte. The self-styled Body Snatcher was clutching at straws while being mown down. The pre-fight wisdom perceived his only chance to be taking Itauma into the later rounds he is yet to experience. A curious prediction since he is 18 years older than his young tormentor. When weighing in at his lightest for 10 years, Whyte pronounced himself fitter than ever after training like a dervish. He might as well have spared himself those stern rigours in camp and simply turned up to take his punishment and his reported three and a half million dollars reward. He hardly threw a punch and did not land one as Itauma pummelled him from the first – and only – bell. A combination of range-finders set him up for the left hook which turned Whyte's legs to jelly, followed by the southpaw right which dropped him to his knees. Game as old pros are, Whyte stumbled to his feet but as he slumped back against the ropes the referee saved him from losing too many of his marbles. For the Body Snatcher, retirement calls. For Holy Moses a golden future beckons as the heavyweight era of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and most importantly Oleksandr Usyk nears its end and he stands ready to usher in the next generation.
BreakingNews.ie
13 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Moses Itauma claims devastating first-round KO against Dillian Whyte
Moses Itauma blew away Dillian Whyte with a devastating first-round knockout in their all-British heavyweight clash in Riyadh. The 20-year-old extended his perfect record through 13 professional fights as he sent veteran Whyte sprawling to the canvas inside two minutes. Advertisement Former WBC interim heavyweight champion Whyte, 37, was not given any time to settle as Itauma – who had been made to wait in the ring by a delayed walk-in from his British rival – immediately went on the front foot. Done in ONE 😯 Moses Itauma finishes Dillian Whyte in the FIRST ROUND 😮💨 #WhyteItauma | @DAZNBoxing — Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 16, 2025 Chatham southpaw Itauma tested Whyte with a flurry of early jabs before more precision shot combinations sent him back onto the ropes. Another powerful right hook sent Whyte crashing to the floor and although he stumbled back onto his feet, the referee stepped in to wave off the contest with just over a minute left of the first round. On the back of another hugely impressive display, the calls will continue to grow for Slovakia-born Itauma to be handed a world title shot in 2026. Advertisement 'That's what I've been drilling for 12, 13 weeks,' Itauma said on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Told you he was good. — Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) August 16, 2025 'I have trained hard for this (so) I didn't want it to be over in the first round. 'I put on a performance for you guys, so it's now who's next? 'I don't want to call out (undisputed world heavyweight champion) (Oleksandr) Usyk because I don't believe I deserve the opportunity – but guys that do deserve the opportunity, I want to fight those lot. Advertisement 'So maybe Agit Kabayel, maybe Joseph Parker. Maybe them type of names. '(But) as of right now, I am going to rest and then maybe be back in the gym.'
