Filip Hrgović and a Shattered $100 Million Empire: I Told Them It Was Too Soon...

Tyson Fury, known as "The Gypsy King," believes the Croatian boxer shattered the Briton's dreams of a lucrative career, as Itauma entered the title fight prematurely.

He emphasizes that Moses needed to overcome several more hurdles before challenging for a title. Knocking out a lower-ranked fighter, he states, is not the same as knocking out a world-class opponent. The difference lies in power, endurance, and overall skill.

"Everything is completely different. That's why, based on my experience, I told Frank Warren, and anyone else who would listen, that it was too soon. I said, 'This kid needs four or five more fights. What's the rush?'""I suppose when you're trying to make someone a superstar and break records, you throw them into the fire too early. That's where they went wrong. It could cost Moses a $100 million career. I believe he could have become a $100 million athlete."

Fury points out that Itauma hadn't accumulated enough rounds in his career to contend for a title.

"If you go from not boxing more than four rounds directly into a 12-round world title fight, without having won any titles along the way... If you look at my career, I won English, Irish, British, Commonwealth, and European titles.""Along the way, I won all the international belts and all the world championship belts, right up to the 'lineal' champion and The Ring belt. That's how it works for a reason.""I was 27 when I fought Wladimir Klitschko, and I was considered an underdog at 10 to 1, but I was ready. If I had fought him at 21, I would have been knocked out too.""So, it's all about timing, and now was not the time for Moses Itauma. That doesn't mean Moses can't box, nor that he isn't an exceptional talent. However, when you get knocked out in your first attempt, it takes time to come back; you have to show the right mentality, will, and desire to be a fighter after such a performance."

A loss in a high-stakes fight doesn't necessarily define a young boxer's career, but his team's next moves will carry significant weight. A comeback in the heavyweight division is often carefully constructed, through matches that restore rhythm and confidence.

For Hrgović, on the other hand, this outcome confirms his place at the top of the division. He now faces a period where every subsequent performance will be analyzed through the prism of potential major clashes for prestigious belts.

The heavyweight division has once again gained a narrative that raises numerous questions, and the answers will emerge in upcoming fights. The only certainty is that there is almost no room for error at this level.

Itauma now holds a career record of 14-1, while Filip Hrgović stands at 21-1. "El Animal" is now moving towards title unification, with potential rivals including Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois, or the mandatory IBF challenger, Frank Sanchez.