The 21-year-old’s unbeaten run came to an end.
Moses Itauma was expected to leave the O2 Arena with a world heavyweight title last month.
Instead, the 21-year-old was carried out on a stretcher following his clash with Filip Hrgovic.
Itauma appeared a level above his Croatian opponent when they met for the IBF crown.
However, Hrgovic’s greater experience proved decisive as he eventually outlasted the highly-rated British prospect.
The Croatian ended Itauma’s unbeaten record and made history by becoming his country’s first heavyweight world champion.
One fellow British heavyweight believes the defeat could have a lasting impact on Itauma.
In the aftermath of his loss, Dave Allen told talkSPORT Boxing: “He looked like a kid in there, with no experience.
“He is an incredible talent; he was beating Filip Hrgovic seven rounds to one, there [are] not many people in the world that could do that.
“It was incredible; he is incredible, but I’ll tell you one thing – that is going to take some coming back from.
“I have left this arena on a stretcher seven years ago when I boxed David Price, and I was never the same man after, never.
“I have never been the same man or the same fighter since.”
Itauma immediately called for a rematch with Hrgovic following their first meeting.
However, the heavyweight division’s newest world champion looks set to face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez first.
Sanchez is currently positioned as the mandatory challenger for Itauma’s world title.
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