British Heavyweight Champion Riakporhe Raises Fitness Concerns for Moses Itauma After ‘Worrying’ Loss to Filip Hrgovic
Richard Riakporhe, the reigning British heavyweight champion, voiced his concerns regarding Moses Itauma’s physical condition during Saturday night’s match.
The 36-year-old knockout expert was present at the O2 Arena, intently observing the IBF world title bout against Filip Hrgovic from Itauma’s corner.
The 21-year-old from Kent showcased impressive technique during the first seven rounds, landing various combinations against his 34-year-old Croatian opponent.
Nevertheless, he seemed to struggle after the seventh round and required a stretcher to leave the ring following a tough ninth round.
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Riakporhe, who is 6ft 5in tall and has previously competed at the cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb, commented, “He seemed to be tiring as early as the third round.”
“This sport requires tremendous strength and the expertise of exceptional conditioning coaches; every member of the team plays a crucial role.”
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‘I’ll be back’ – Itauma responds defiantly in a video after his defeat to Hrgovic
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“Heavyweight boxing is different; it exudes a distinct atmosphere unlike other divisions.”
“When I transitioned, I completely restructured my team, including trainers and conditioning coaches.”
“It’s essential to be conditioned for 12 rounds. Seeing him in the corner gasping for air by the fourth round was alarming.”
After his unexpected defeat, a video surfaced on talkSPORT where Itauma admitted that he likely hadn’t participated in a complete 12-round sparring session to prepare for his matchup against the seasoned Olympic bronze medalist.
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Riakporhe observed that although Itauma’s strategy was effective initially, it lost its impact as the fight progressed.
He remarked, “It’s surprising he didn’t conduct a full 12-round sparring session.”
“Training camps must be prepared at that caliber; otherwise, you won’t grasp how to handle pressure adequately.”
“I select sparring partners who push me to my limits. Even if I feel exhausted, I accept that discomfort because it readies me for challenging circumstances.”
“You cannot afford to deplete your energy reserves.”
Like many in the UK boxing community, Riakporhe expressed support for the young fighter and believes in his potential for a strong comeback.
He stated, “There are many exciting matches ahead for him, and boxing enthusiasts certainly noticed Moses Itauma after this fight.”
“This sport is meant to entertain, and he undoubtedly delivered a remarkable performance.”
