LONDON, Oct 17 — British boxing rising star Moses Itauma said yesterday he had finally come to terms with his first professional defeat after narrowly failing in his quest to become a heavyweight world champion.

In August, the 21-year-old was on course for victory as he pounded Filip Hrgovic in the early stages of their IBF title fight in London.

But Itauma ran out of steam in his quest to become boxing’s second-youngest heavyweight champion of all time behind Mike Tyson and he was stopped in the ninth round by his resilient Croatian opponent.

Itauma, speaking at the launch of Club Eight 3 gym in Chatham, said he had no regrets about bidding for “greatness” by trying to knock out Hrgovic.