Wladimir Klitschko sends message to Moses Itauma after KO loss to Filip Hrgovic

There are few who can currently relate to the feelings of Moses Itauma after his loss to Filip Hrgovic, but one man who went through a similar experience is heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko, and the Ukrainian superstar has now offered his thoughts on the fight.

The disparity in skill between Itauma and Hrgovic was there for all to see in the opening rounds of Saturday’s showdown at the O2 Arena, but at the half-way point, the difference in stamina and experience was even more clear – and it was in favour of the underdog.

As a result, an exhausted Itauma opened the door for ‘El Animal’, who graciously accepted the opportunity to become Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion and hand Itauma the first defeat of his career; bringing the show to a close in round nine.

Although, whilst the nature of the contest felt bizarre at such an elite level, Klitschko also knows how it feels to suffer a blow early into his career when he was knocked out by Lamon Brewster in 2004, in a challenge for the vacant WBO title.

Brewster famously stopped a suddenly-depleted Klitschko in round five of that scrap – despite being dominated throughout the first four rounds and dropped in the fourth – but Klitschko improved his stamina and went on to become one of the heavyweight division’s most formidable rulers.

On X, Klitschko told Itauma that ‘he can bounce back, big time, if he really wants it’, after congratulating former sparring partner, Hrgovic, on an iconic win.

My favorite principle in the /FACE methodology is ENDURANCE, and once again, ENDURANCE beats masterwork and talent, like in the fight last night, Hrgovic vs. Moses.
Congrats to my former sparring partner one and only @Filip_Hrgovic; you are the real champ!
I’ve been there where… pic.twitter.com/EUBcmRgQB3

— Klitschko (@Klitschko) August 30, 2026

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“My favourite principle in the /FACE methodology is ENDURANCE, and once again, ENDURANCE beats masterwork and talent, like in the fight last night, Hrgovic vs. Moses. 

“Congrats to my former sparring partner one and only @Filip_Hrgovic; you are the real champ! 

“I’ve been there where you’re now, you can bounce back big time, if you really want it #MosesItauma.”

Itauma has since released a statement following his shock defeat, after being given the all-clear from a precautionary post-fight hospital trip.