The 34-year-old Croatian claimed his first world title on August 29, when he came from behind to stop an exhausted Moses Itauma in the ninth round at London’s O2 Arena.

But far from that victory being the final flourish on more than 20 years in the sport, Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs) believes it can kickstart a spell of domination that will take him close to his 40s.

“I think I have a lot of fights left,” Hrgovic told a group of reporters recently. “And I want to unify. I don’t know the exact number of fights, but I think I can be here for five more years.”

Given Oleksandr Usyk, 39, is planning to retire next year and that both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are also nearing the end of their careers, the heavyweight division is in flux. Many predicted that Itauma would become the next great dominant force in the division, yet Hrgovic slowed the Englishman’s surge to the top with his stunning upset.

Hrgovic, who became his country’s first world heavyweight champion, has developed a taste for the good life.

“Life as the world heavyweight champion is amazing, man,” he said. “If I knew it would be so good I would have made sure I won the championship before now. It is just a feeling inside where everything is great.

“I fulfilled my dream. I went through so much to come to this position, I worked so hard and now I feel amazing. I just want to stay here as long as possible.”

Hrgovic was a huge underdog in the clash with Itauma, who was tipped by many to capture the vacant IBF heavyweight title via knockout. The 21-year-old southpaw, who went off as a 9-1 favorite according to several sportsbooks, looked well on course to make that happen after a searing start, with Hrgovic seemingly unable to handle his opponent’s speed and power.

The visitor was down 8-0 on two cards and 7-1 on the other entering the ninth round, but turned the tide and stopped Itauma on his feet to completely change his life.

“Actually, I heard that a lot of people in Croatia and a lot of my friends put money on me because it was such big odds,” Hrgovic says. “The odds meant that if I won then they’d make a lot of money and that’s exactly what happened.

“People in my country are so happy about this win. People are coming and taking photos with me and wherever I go I am very welcomed.”

Back at his house, meanwhile, his 2-year-old daughter has also been taught a new phrase.

“She speaks a bit, but not so good as she’s only 2," Hrgovic said. “But I’ve taught her to say, ‘My dad is a world champion.’ She doesn’t know what it means yet, but she will one day. And I will sit her down and show her the fight against Itauma one day, too.”

For now, Hrgovic is enjoying a well-earned break after what was a punishing fight, which left him with a headache for three days. He is expected to face his mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez, in his next outing, though Hrgovic insists that plan could change.

Regardless, Hrgovic does not view his victory over Itauma as reaching the top of the mountain, rather merely one point on an ongoing climb.

“In the whole of my career, I didn’t take a lot of punishment,” Hrgovic said. “Over the course of my whole amateur career, my fights in the World Series of Boxing or first 18 fights as a pro I didn’t take any beatings. Only in the last few fights have I really received any shots. Against David Adeleye, Itauma and Daniel Dubois, I received a few shots, but I’m not damaged and I’m not in a situation like someone like Joe Joyce, who is famous for receiving punches throughout his career.

“I think I’m in a different shape. I’m not happy about receiving punches, but I’m far away from being damaged and I’m good to go. Now for me there are a few options: the winner of the Dubois and Fabio Wardley rematch [October 17], there’s [WBC champion] Agit Kabayel or maybe my mandatory. We still don’t know what direction it will go, but there are a few great options so we will see in the end.”