Prospect Moses Itauma Aspires to Become Youngest Heavyweight World Champion
Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois are three British fighters who were able to transition from successful amateur careers to winning heavyweight world titles. A fighter hoping to follow in their footsteps is Moses Itauma.
The 18-year-old southpaw from Kent, England was undefeated in the amateur ranks (22-0). Among his accomplishments included being a two-time national champion. Itauma also captured the European youth amateur title in April 2022 and the world youth championship in November 2022. He’s gained plenty of buzz among British boxing circles due to his amateur success and sparring sessions with the likes of Joshua, Dubois, top heavyweight contender Joe Joyce, and reigning WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie.
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With word on the street that boxing is in danger of being removed from the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, Itauma decided to turn pro and signed a multi-year deal with Queensbury Promotions on January 1, 2023. Team Itauma is on the fast track. During an interview with UK media source iTV, the youngster says he’s on a pursuit to make heavyweight history.
“I want to beat Mike Tyson’s record, but I’m not thinking about that just yet. It’s still two years away. I just want to get my pro debut done. That’s the first thing to think about. But yeah, my long-term goal would be becoming the youngest heavyweight world champion.”
Standing 6’5”, Itauma is remarkably athletic and fast for a man of his size. He moves around the ring like a middleweight. Though the southpaw did not score any stoppage wins in the amateur ranks, he stunned and wobbled several opponents along the way.
Queensbury is currently working behind the scenes organizing their fighter’s professional debut. The goal is to have Itauma fight eight times in 2023.
To aspire to win a professional world heavyweight title in two years is ambitious and bold. But the fighter and those around him are confident they can make that goal a reality. Itauma will be a heavyweight to watch.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
