Filip Hrgović stuns the boxing world to become new heavyweight champion

Croatian boxer Filip Hrgović delivered a major upset over the weekend, winning a heavyweight world title fight against a heavily favoured opponent. The victory made him the first boxer from Croatia to ever claim a heavyweight world championship.

Going into the fight, Hrgović had largely been overlooked. Promotional materials and media coverage focused almost entirely on his opponent, Itauma, who was billed as a rising star and presented as the near-certain winner. The opening stages of the bout did little to suggest otherwise.

The fight, however, turned dramatically in Hrgović's favour as it progressed. The referee eventually stopped the contest, officially declaring Hrgović the winner and new champion. Itauma was carried out of the arena on a stretcher and taken to hospital following the defeat.

A hard-won path to the title

Hrgović's success did not come easily. Just a couple of years ago, he seriously considered ending his boxing career. What kept him in the sport was not wanting to be seen as a loser in his daughter's eyes. Now, as the newly crowned world champion, he has expressed a desire to face his opponent again in the ring.