Moses Itauma is set to begin a crucial comeback trail in early 2027, following his shocking August defeat to Filip Hrgovic that temporarily halted his meteoric rise through the heavyweight division. As the young British contender eyes up another shot at world honours, former two-weight world champion Amir Khan has stepped forward to offer his thoughts on the youngster’s chances of bouncing back to win gold, drawing heavily from his own painful experiences inside the prizefighting game.
The setback at the O2 Arena in London remains one of the most talked-about domestic boxing stories of recent years. Itauma had entered the ring widely expected to make history and become boxing’s second-youngest heavyweight world champion. For the early rounds of the contest against Hrgovic, the young phenom delivered a dazzling display of speed, movement, and sharp combinations that had the capacity crowd roaring. However, the blistering pace and high-output strategy soon turned to disaster when the 21-year-old appeared to have punched himself out under the intense pressure of the occasion.
Exhausted and physically spent from emptying his gas tank in search of a stoppage, it did not take long for the experienced and formidable Croatian in the opposing corner to capitalise on the fatigue. Hrgovic sensed the shift in momentum and closed the show in a dramatic ninth round, leaving Itauma completely depleted. The distressing scene saw the young heavyweight stretchered out of the arena after exerting every ounce of his energy in a courageous but ultimately ill-fated championship effort.
The defeat was a harsh introduction to the elite level of the heavyweight division, but in the sport of boxing, losses often serve as defining moments for future champions. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Amir Khan sympathised deeply with Itauma’s predicament. The Bolton-born star admitted that the high-profile upset and the surrounding media storm bore an uncanny resemblance to his own surprisingly similar defeat to Breidis Prescott back in 2008. Despite the heavy psychological and physical toll of such a loss, Khan maintained a firm belief that Itauma possesses all the necessary raw ingredients to eventually get his hands on the heavyweight throne down the line.
Reflecting on the psychological battle of rebuilding a career after a devastating stoppage, Khan offered a candid assessment of what the young fighter is currently experiencing. He pointed out that the road to redemption is entirely viable because he has walked that exact path himself.
Expressing his absolute confidence in the youngster’s future prospects, Khan stated that the heavyweight can still achieve greatness despite the temporary detour.
The former world champion recalled the overwhelming media scrutiny that followed his own career setbacks, noting that public perception can turn in an instant once a fighter loses their undefeated record. When Khan suffered his first professional defeat against Prescott, the press and social media commentators were quick to write off his championship aspirations. Yet, he managed to use that adversity as fuel to restructure his career, eventually capturing world titles and establishing a legendary boxing legacy. He believes Itauma is more than capable of charting a similar course of recovery and ultimate triumph.
Khan then went on to offer practical advice to Itauma, urging the young heavyweight to thoroughly reflect on his performance against Hrgovic and make the necessary tactical and physical adjustments. At the same time, the veteran warned against the dangers of waiting around on the sidelines for too long, emphasizing that a fighter must shake off any lingering demons from a crushing defeat as soon as humanly possible by stepping back into the competitive environment.
Detailing his own blueprint for recovery, Khan explained how he handled the aftermath of his loss to Prescott by immediately throwing himself back into an intense training regime. He stressed the importance of total focus and removing oneself from external distractions, recounting how he packed his bags and travelled to America to work with renowned trainer Freddie Roach, isolating himself away from fans, friends, and family to dedicate every waking hour to his craft.
While the physical recovery from such an exhausting bout is paramount, the logistical side of Itauma’s return has also begun to take shape. Promoter Frank Warren has recently revealed that Itauma will remain under the guidance of trainer Ben Davison when he officially steps back through the ropes in January. The decision to stick with Davison provides a sense of tactical continuity as the young fighter seeks to rebuild his shattered momentum and re-announce himself to the global boxing public as one of the sport’s most dynamic and dangerous talents.
