Moses Itauma's rise through the heavyweight ranks stalled after his challenge for the vacant IBF world title ended in a ninth-round stoppage by Filip Hrgovic at The O2.
Facing the toughest test of his 15-fight career against an experienced and durable Olympic medal winner, Itauma took command of the early rounds but tired and the eighth and ninth swung dramatically in Hrgovic's favour.
The rivals traded blows in two classic rounds and it was the heart and granite chin of Hrgovic that won out with referee Howard Foster stopping the fight while Itauma was taking a barrage of shots with only the ropes holding him up.
Seeing that his fighter had been staggering around the ring in the face of Hrgovic's onslaught, trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel but Foster had already intervened.
Hrgovic and Itauma slugged it out in the final rounds (Steven Paston/PA)
