Itauma suffered his first loss in August at the O2 Arena in London, where he was defeated by the experienced Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic. The result denied the young Briton the chance to become the youngest heavyweight world champion since 1986.

Prior to the championship bout, Itauma had maintained an unblemished record of 14 victories, with an impressive 12 of those wins coming by way of stoppage. His rapid rise had established him as one of the most promising talents in the division.

Speaking in an interview with BBC South East and Radio Kent, Itauma reflected on the emotional toll of the defeat. He admitted that while the experience was painful, he is choosing to focus on the lessons learned from the high-stakes environment.

"I always say I'd rather be third than second because if you're third you know you couldn't be number one," Itauma said. "When you're second you know you could have been number one. So that's exactly how I feel. I'm just gutted."

Despite the disappointment, the heavyweight prospect remains optimistic about his future prospects. At only 21 years old and with 15 professional fights now behind him, he believes he has sufficient time to refine his craft and return to the top level.

The fight against Hrgovic provided a significant test for the young boxer. Although Itauma managed to exert control for large portions of the contest and even scored a knockdown in the second round, his high-output style eventually led to fatigue.

Hrgovic, a 34-year-old Olympic bronze medallist, entered the bout with a formidable record of 20 wins and only one defeat. Following the victory, the Croatian praised his opponent's natural ability while acknowledging the mental challenge of such a high-profile loss.

"It was a big shock for him, a big humiliation, so maybe it's the end of his career if he's not mentally tough," Hrgovic remarked. "If he recovers from this loss, mentally, it will be hard for anyone to ever beat him again."

Itauma views the loss as an essential developmental milestone that could not have been replicated in training or sparring. He maintains that the experience of facing elite-level pressure was a necessary step in his evolution as a professional athlete.

"It taught me a lot. I walked away from the fight knowing there was something I learnt there that I couldn't get from sparring, reading books or what the coach would be able to tell me," he explained.

Born in Slovakia to a Slovakian mother and Nigerian father, Itauma moved to Kent as a child. He has frequently spoken about his pride in his Chatham upbringing and the encouragement he has received from his local community throughout his career.

The boxer recounted a recent encounter at his local gym where a fan expressed admiration for his journey. He noted that such interactions reinforce his commitment to the sport and his desire to represent his roots on the world stage.

Looking ahead, Itauma has set a clear target for his next championship challenge. He stated that he is "100%" confident that he will be in a position to compete for another world title by the year 2027.

The fighter remains steadfast in his identity and professional goals. He emphasised that a single defeat does not diminish his long-term ambitions or his belief in his own capabilities within the competitive heavyweight landscape.

"My identity as a boxer is still deeply rooted in me. A loss is not going to change that," Itauma added. "I lost a boxing fight, that's it. Even though I didn't get the W, I'm proud of my performance."

The heavyweight division continues to be a focal point for boxing fans, with various promoters looking toward potential unification bouts in the coming years. Itauma remains a key figure in the conversation surrounding the future of the weight class.

As he prepares for his next steps, Itauma is focused on maintaining the intensity that brought him to the brink of a world title. His team is expected to outline his return to the ring in the coming months.

Promoter Frank Warren has recently discussed the broader landscape of the heavyweight division, including plans for potential unification bouts in 2027. These developments suggest a busy period ahead for the sport's premier weight class, with Itauma aiming to feature.

Itauma's resilience is being tested as he navigates the aftermath of his first professional setback. However, his public commitment to his craft suggests he is already looking past the disappointment of August toward future championship opportunities.