Hrgovic described Itauma as “really good, special, very fast” and the most “talented kid” he had ever fought.

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

Itauma expects the experience will only make him stronger.

“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 said.

“What happened there I had to see for myself. I’ll be back.” Itauma was born in Slovakia to a Slovakian mother and Nigerian father before he and his brothers suffered racial abuse and the family moved to Kent.

He says he is proud of his Chatham upbringing and the support the people have given him in the pursuit of his boxing dreams.

“I remember after the fight I went to the gym, and this guy was so starstruck to see me. He said ‘I walked the same road that you walked, I went to the same school that you did’,” said Itauma.

“The only difference between us is I put one or two hours aside to focus on my boxing. He did say he’s coming to my next fight, and I thanked him. I really appreciate it.”

The fighter said he was “100%” confident his next title challenge would be in 2027.

“My identity as a boxer is still deeply rooted in me. A loss is not going to change that,” he said.

“I lost a boxing fight, that’s it. Even though I didn’t get the W, I’m proud of my performance for what I was, and I enjoyed it.

“Life is about adrenaline, pressure, high expectations.”