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 worries regarding Moses Itauma’s condition during the fight on Saturday night.
The 36-year-old knockout artist was present at the O2 Arena, closely monitoring Itauma from his corner throughout the IBF world title bout against Filip Hrgovic.
The 21-year-old from Kent showcased impressive skills in the first seven rounds, executing a range of combinations against his 34-year-old Croatian opponent.
However, he seemed to tire after the seventh round, requiring a stretcher to leave the ring following a challenging ninth round.
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Riakporhe, who stands at 6ft 5in and is accustomed to the cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb, remarked, “He looked fatigued from the third round onward.”
“This sport requires incredible strength, and having outstanding conditioning coaches is essential; each team member plays a crucial role.”
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“Heavyweight boxing is remarkable; it possesses a unique energy that differentiates it from other weight classes.”
“Upon stepping up to heavyweight, I entirely overhauled my team, including trainers and conditioning coaches.”
“Being prepared for all 12 rounds is crucial. It was alarming to see him struggling to breathe in his corner by the fourth round.”
Following his unexpected defeat, a video surfaced on talkSPORT in which Itauma admitted that he likely hadn’t completed a full 12-round sparring session to adequately prepare for his bout against the experienced Olympic bronze medalist.
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Riakporhe acknowledged that while Itauma’s strategies were effective initially, they waned as the fight continued.
He commented, “It’s surprising he didn’t undergo a complete 12-round sparring session.”
“Training camps need to maintain that level of intensity; otherwise, you won’t learn to handle pressure effectively.”
“I choose sparring partners who push me. Even when I feel drained, I persevere because it prepares me for tough scenarios.”
“Running low on energy is not an option.”
Like many in the British boxing community, Riakporhe expressed his support for the young fighter and remains hopeful about his future in the sport.
He concluded, “There are several exciting matchups in store for him, and boxing fans definitely noticed Moses Itauma after this fight.”
“This sport is meant to entertain, and he put on a captivating performance.”
