British Heavyweight Champion Riakporhe Voices Fitness Concerns for Moses Itauma After ‘Worrying’ Defeat to Filip Hrgovic
Richard Riakporhe, the reigning British heavyweight champion, expressed his concerns about Moses Itauma’s physical condition during the bout on Saturday night.
The 36-year-old knockout artist was present at the O2 Arena, keenly watching from Itauma’s corner during the IBF world title fight against Filip Hrgovic.
The 21-year-old from Kent showcased impressive skills over the first seven rounds, delivering a range of combinations against his 34-year-old Croatian opponent.
However, he seemed to falter after the seventh round and required a stretcher to leave the ring following a strenuous ninth round.
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Riakporhe, who stands at 6ft 5in and previously fought at the cruiserweight weight limit of 14st 4lb, stated, “He appeared to be tiring from the third round onwards.”
“This sport requires immense strength, and the guidance of top-tier conditioning coaches is essential; every member of the team plays a crucial role.”
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“Heavyweight boxing is something special; it possesses a unique energy that separates it from other weight categories.”
“When I transitioned to heavyweight, I completely restructured my team, including my trainers and conditioning coaches.”
“It’s essential to be prepared for all 12 rounds. Watching him struggle for breath in the corner by the fourth round was alarming.”
In the aftermath of his unexpected defeat, a video circulated on talkSPORT where Itauma admitted that he likely hadn’t participated in a complete 12-round sparring session to properly prepare for his matchup against the seasoned Olympic bronze medalist.
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Riakporhe noted that while Itauma’s strategies were initially effective, their effectiveness waned as the bout progressed.
He remarked, “It’s astonishing that he didn’t complete a full 12-round sparring session.”
“Training camps must meet that standard; otherwise, you won’t learn how to handle pressure properly.”
“I choose sparring partners that challenge me. Even when I feel fatigued, I embrace that challenge because it prepares me for tough situations.”
“You can’t afford to deplete your energy.”
Like many in the UK boxing community, Riakporhe extended his support to the young fighter and remains hopeful about his prospects in the sport.
He concluded, “There are many thrilling matchups ahead for him, and boxing fans certainly took notice of Moses Itauma following this fight.”
“This sport is meant to excite, and he provided an entertaining performance.”
