Moses Itauma is unlikely to receive an immediate rematch with Filip Hrgovic after his world heavyweight title defeat. The 21-year-old British contender inflicted a second round knockdown on Hrgovic, but then tired dramatically before being stopped in the ninth round at The O2 in London on Saturday night.

Itauma could now be forced to wait for another world title fight as no 1 contender Frank Sanchez is mandatory challenger for the IBF title after initially agreeing a deal to allow Itauma vs Hrgovic to go ahead first.

Hrgovic is also obliged to face Sanchez before he can pursue a unification bout against fellow champions such as Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois and Murat Gassiev.