British boxing, especially the heavyweight division, has been blessed with an array of compelling figures over the past twenty years. Anthony Joshua, for instance, exploded onto the scene as an Olympic gold medallist, carrying the immense hopes of a nation. His early professional career was a spectacle of explosive power and undeniable athleticism, quickly becoming a mainstream superstar and unifying titles. He cultivated a formidable presence, dispatching opponents with a concussive force that electrified arenas. Then there is Tyson Fury, a phenomenon of a different kind. His journey has been one of remarkable resilience, unparalleled boxing IQ, and an unorthodox style that has befuddled the best in the world. From his rise through the domestic ranks to his eventual undisputed status, Fury has captivated audiences with his unique blend of agility, pressure, and self-belief. Both Joshua and Fury have undeniably left colossal imprints on the sport, defining eras of British heavyweight boxing with their contrasting styles and momentous achievements.
In the storied annals of British heavyweight boxing, a new name is being etched with increasing prominence and an air of inevitability: Moses Itauma. At just 20 years old, Itauma has not only captured the attention of the boxing world but is rapidly establishing himself as the most formidable British heavyweight talent to emerge in the last two decades. His unblemished professional slate of 12 wins, with a staggering 10 knockouts, speaks volumes about his raw power and finishing ability. When one meticulously dissects his early professional journey and places it within the context of recent British heavyweight history, a compelling narrative emerges – Moses Itauma is not merely following in the footsteps of previous giants; he is forging a distinct and highly accelerated path of unprecedented dominance, signalling the dawn of a new, prolonged era of British heavyweight supremacy.
Yet, Moses Itauma, still a nascent force in the professional sphere, is generating a level of excitement and demonstrating a trajectory that suggests a future even more dominant. His progression, while still early, showcases a rapid acceleration and a devastating effectiveness that sets him apart. He is not just accumulating wins; he is making emphatic statements with each outing, demonstrating a rare blend of power, precision, and poise for such a young fighter.
Consider his recent victory over Mike Balogun in Glasgow on May 24, 2025. Itauma dismantled a seasoned professional, dropping him multiple times before the referee intervened in the second round. This performance was not just a win; it was a clinical display of burgeoning power and strategic aggression. Balogun, a fighter with a respectable record (21-2-0 at the time of the fight), was systematically broken down with a calculated brutality that highlighted Itauma’s superior skill set. Prior to that, his first-round demolition of Demsey McKean in Riyadh on December 21, 2024, sent shockwaves through the division. McKean (22-1-0 coming into the fight), a previously highly-rated and durable opponent, was not merely beaten, however, utterly overwhelmed by Itauma’s relentless assault and devastating power. These victories, coupled with his earlier emphatic stoppages of fighters like Mariusz Wach (a veteran who had gone rounds with top heavyweights) and Michal Boloz, highlight a consistent pattern of dominance against opponents with credible, albeit not elite, records. He hasn’t just beaten them; he’s often annihilated them with a frightening efficiency.
Itauma’s amateur pedigree, including gold medals at the Schools, Juniors, and Youth European Championships, culminating in a World Youth Amateur Championship, provided a robust foundation upon which his professional success is being built. This extensive amateur experience equipped him with a technical proficiency, tactical awareness, and a calm under pressure that is strikingly evident in his professional performances, allowing him to bypass many of the typical growing pains seen in developing heavyweights. His transition has been seamless, almost preordained, demonstrating a readiness for the professional game that belies his age.
The boxing world is abuzz with anticipation regarding Itauma’s future, and the opinions of two of the sport’s most influential promoters, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, only amplify this excitement. Frank Warren, Itauma’s promoter, has consistently lauded his protégé’s exceptional talent and potential, seeing him as a generational talent from very early on. After Itauma’s impressive victory over Mike Balogun, Warren was quoted saying, “Moses, I feel, is something special. He’s only 20 years of age and he’s looking the business. As he’s maturing, he’s only going to get better and better.” Warren further highlighted Itauma’s rare combination of power and composure, stating, “He’s not one of those guys that when, when he gets in trouble, he rushes in and he loses his space, falling in on you. He keeps his space so he can deflect shots. He steps back and lets them go and moves them. And what impressed me with the last knockdown was he did it going backwards. Very few fighters can do that, you know, have that power to be able to do that.” These are not just the words of a proud promoter; they are the observations of a man who has guided countless champions, recognising truly unique attributes and suggesting a fast-track to the top.
Even from the opposing camp, Eddie Hearn, while promoting rival fighters and undoubtedly eager to find a future opponent for his stable, has acknowledged the undeniable talent of Moses Itauma. Hearn has, in the past, recognised Itauma’s immense potential and acknowledged him as a genuine threat to the established order of the heavyweight division. He has spoken of Itauma’s rapid progression, admitting that he is on a fast track and will likely have a busy schedule, with predictions of “at least another three fights this year” (as of May 2025). This recognition from a competing promoter underscores the widespread acceptance of Itauma’s exceptional abilities and the inevitability of his rapid rise through the ranks. When even your rivals are speaking of your talent and trajectory, it speaks volumes about the impact you are making.
Adding further intrigue to Itauma’s ascent are his own perspectives on his standing in the global heavyweight landscape. Following his win over Balogun, which saw him remarkably elevated to the WBO’s number one contender spot – an extraordinary achievement for a fighter with just 12 professional bouts – Moses Itauma displayed a calm self-assurance, typical of champions in the making. He was quoted stating, “I know where I am. The rankings will take care of themselves, I believe I am already among the top contenders in the world. My performances speak for themselves, and with each fight, I am proving that I belong at the very top. I am not in this for short-term glory; I am building a legacy.” This statement, delivered with the maturity of a seasoned veteran despite his tender years, reveals a fighter with unwavering belief in his destiny and a clear long-term vision for his career. The WBO’s decision to place him at #1, while perhaps accelerated by some metrics, speaks to the immense potential and undeniable talent recognised by sanctioning bodies who are clearly keen to have him in their title picture.
Itauma’s boxing ability is a captivating blend of raw, concussive power and remarkably refined technique. As a southpaw, he presents an awkward challenge for opponents, however, it’s his lightning-fast hands and exceptional footwork for a man of his stature (6 ft 4½ in, approximately 254 lbs) that truly set him apart. He can switch angles effortlessly, creating openings for his devastating power punches. His ability to generate knockout power with both his left and right hands makes him a constant and unpredictable threat. Furthermore, his ring IQ is remarkably advanced for his age. He demonstrates patience when needed, setting up his attacks with calculated precision, and possesses a killer instinct to finish opponents when they are hurt. He doesn’t waste shots and rarely appears flustered, exhibiting a composure that many heavyweights take years to develop.
Former world champion George Groves noted, “A word on Moses, I think he has one of the best boxing brains in the heavyweight division. So he is a very skillful fighter, but he’s got much more to do to become a complete fighter. But lots of the heavyweights are big guys, strong guys, maybe good athletes in that field, but not natural with a vast boxing IQ, but Moses does.” Tony Bellew, another respected former champion, added, “He’s the biggest star in British boxing. He’s the future. He’s the future, that boy.” These insights from experienced figures in the sport underscore the depth of his technical prowess and his unique mental fortitude.
His most notable wins serve as prime examples of his multifaceted skillset. The TKO victory over Mike Balogun on May 24, 2025, in Glasgow, was a clinical display of sustained pressure and fight-ending power, dropping Balogun twice in the first round and again in the second before the referee waved it off. This showed his ability to impose his will and finish effectively against a durable opponent. The first-round destruction of Demsey McKean on December 21, 2024, in Riyadh, highlighted his explosive power and ability to capitalise on early openings against a fighter who had previously extended Joseph Parker. Itauma’s quick finish of McKean was a truly eye-catching performance on a major international card, signaling his arrival on the global stage. His dominant second-round TKO against the experienced Mariusz Wach on July 27, 2024, further underscored his ability to dispatch seasoned veterans who have taken some of the best in the division into deep waters. Wach had previously gone the distance with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, making Itauma’s swift stoppage all the more impressive and a clear marker of his elite power. These victories are not just notches on his belt; they are statements of his burgeoning dominance and a clear indication of his championship pedigree.
Beyond these headline-grabbing victories, his earlier professional fights saw a consistent pattern of early stoppages, demonstrating a level of power and aggression that is rare in young heavyweights. His amateur career, with a remarkable 24 wins and no losses, including a World Youth Amateur Championship, provided a strong foundation. His transition to the professional ranks has been seamless, almost effortless, with each fight showcasing further development and refinement of his already formidable skills. He’s not just relying on raw power; he’s a student of the game, constantly evolving and adapting, proving that he has the intelligence to complement his physical gifts.
The trajectory of Moses Itauma is not merely that of a promising prospect; it is the ascent of a future king. His blend of natural talent, dedicated training, an insatiable hunger for improvement, and a steely determination sets him apart from any British heavyweight to emerge in the last two decades. He possesses a unique aura of dominance and a demonstrable path to global supremacy. He is not just aiming for world titles; he is poised to redefine heavyweight boxing with a style that is both devastatingly powerful and surprisingly finessed. He embodies the best of British boxing, combining the grit and resilience that defines the nation’s fighters with a rare, almost generational talent.
Therefore, it is with unwavering conviction and a clear understanding of his phenomenal potential that we can state: once Moses Itauma reaches the pinnacle of the heavyweight division and claims a world championship, his reign will not be fleeting. His exceptional talent, relentless drive, strategic career management by Frank Warren, and the comprehensive foundation he has built in his early career indicate a fighter destined for sustained dominance. He possesses all the physical and mental attributes to remain at the summit for an extended period, silencing doubters and solidifying his place in boxing history.
The next decade of heavyweight boxing will be defined by the era of Moses Itauma, a British champion who will hold his world title for at least ten to fifteen years, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and solidifying his place as not just the biggest and best British boxer of his generation but also one of the all-time greats.
The future is now, and its name is Moses Itauma.
The Boxingmadman – follow me on X (Twitter) / Bluesky
The Boxing Mad Man 
Leave a comment