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 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.

Page, widely known by his initials MVP, joins the organisation following his departure from the UFC. His final appearance under his previous contract occurred in September, where he secured a victory against Nursulton Ruziboev in the octagon.

The 39-year-old Londoner has enjoyed a successful run in mixed martial arts, recording five wins in six fights since his debut with the UFC in 2024. Despite this recent form, he was subsequently dropped by the MMA promotion.

Reflecting on his move to the boxing ring, Page expressed enthusiasm about the new direction of his career. He stated, "I've been in combat sports for a long time and I've had plenty of options, but MF Sports is the right fit for me."

Page added that he feels liberated by the transition, noting that the promotion offers a unique environment. "They're doing things differently, the energy is huge, and the fights are big. I feel free, shackles are off."

The fighter is eager to demonstrate his capabilities in a new discipline. "I'm excited for this new chapter, and I'm coming to show the boxing world what I can do," he said regarding his future bouts.

KSI welcomed the addition of the veteran fighter to the Misfits roster. The influencer and former boxer emphasised the significance of securing a competitor with Page's extensive background in combat sports and his high profile.

"Michael Venom Page is one of the biggest names in combat sports, and everyone wanted him," KSI remarked. He highlighted Page's explosive style and status as a superstar as key reasons for the signing during the event.

The Misfits co-founder expressed confidence in the impact Page will have on the promotion. "For him to choose Misfits says everything about where we are as a promotion. Fans are going to love watching him in the ring with us."

Page brings a wealth of experience to the ring, having won 26 of his 29 professional MMA fights. In addition to his MMA success, he is a highly decorated kickboxer with a long history in various combat sports.

His transition to boxing is not entirely new, as he made his professional debut in the sport back in 2017. He currently holds an undefeated professional boxing record of 2-0, although he has not competed in a boxing ring since 2018.

Before his time in the UFC, Page was a major star in Bellator, where he established his reputation as a dynamic and unpredictable fighter. His career has spanned several years, marked by high-profile victories and a distinct fighting style.

The move to Misfits Boxing marks a significant shift for the athlete, who will now focus his efforts on the boxing circuit. The promotion has gained attention for its unique approach to events and its roster of high-profile names.

As a veteran of the combat sports world, Page's arrival is expected to draw considerable interest from fans of both MMA and traditional boxing. His technical background and experience are seen as major assets for the promotion's future.

The details of his first opponent and the date for his debut under the Misfits banner are expected to be announced in due course. Fans are anticipating his return to the ring after his hiatus from the sport.

Misfits Boxing continues to expand its reach by signing established combat sports figures. The addition of Page is part of a broader strategy to host high-energy events that appeal to a diverse and growing global audience.

Page's career trajectory has been defined by his ability to adapt to different challenges. His move to boxing represents the latest phase in a long and varied professional journey that has taken him across multiple organisations and disciplines.

The sporting community will be watching closely to see how the former UFC fighter adapts to the specific demands of professional boxing. His previous experience in the ring, though limited, provides a foundation for his upcoming bouts.

With the contract now finalised, Page is expected to begin preparations for his next challenge. The multi-year deal suggests a long-term commitment to the sport of boxing and the Misfits promotion as he enters this new phase.

Further updates regarding the fight schedule and upcoming events will be provided by the promotion as they finalise the details for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year, keeping fans informed on Page's next steps.