British Heavyweight Champion Riakporhe Voices Fitness Concerns for Moses Itauma After ‘Worrying’ Defeat to Filip Hrgovic
Richard Riakporhe, the reigning British heavyweight champion, voiced his concerns regarding Moses Itauma’s fitness during the fight on Saturday night.
The 36-year-old knockout artist was at the O2 Arena, intently watching the IBF world title match against Filip Hrgovic from Itauma’s corner.
The 21-year-old from Kent displayed impressive skills in the initial seven rounds, delivering a series of combinations against the 34-year-old Croatian opponent.
However, he appeared to lose his stamina after the seventh round and required a stretcher to leave after a tough ninth round.
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Riakporhe, who stands at 6ft 5in and has previously fought at the cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb, remarked, “He seemed to be running out of steam as early as the third round.”
“This sport requires exceptional strength and skilled conditioning coaches; each team member plays a vital 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 unique; it has a completely different feel compared to other categories.”
“When I made the switch, I revamped my entire team, including my coaches and conditioning experts.”
“It’s critical to train for a full 12 rounds. It was alarming to see him in the corner—his mouth was wide open by the fourth round.”
Following his unexpected loss, a video was released on talkSPORT where Itauma admitted he probably hadn’t done a full 12-round sparring session leading up to the fight against the seasoned Olympic bronze medalist.
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Riakporhe observed that although Itauma’s tactics were effective early on, they diminished as the fight progressed.
He commented, “It’s surprising that he didn’t spar the full 12 rounds.”
“Training camps should incorporate that level of preparation; otherwise, you won’t understand how to perform under pressure.”
“I select sparring partners who challenge me. My body may feel sore, but I embrace that discomfort as it readies me for challenging situations.”
“You cannot risk exhausting your energy reserves.”
Like many in the UK boxing community, Riakporhe expressed his support for the young athlete and looks forward to his promising comeback.
He affirmed, “There are many exciting fights ahead for him, and boxing fans definitely took notice of Moses Itauma after this match.”
“This sport is about entertainment, and he undeniably delivered a notable performance.”
