A youthful behemoth of Nigerian heritage is starting to make a formidable impression on the dynamic arena of heavyweight boxing, where heroes are created and honors are earned by fearlessness and aggression.
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Entering the professional arena with the intensity of a man on a mission, Moses Itauma has done more than just step in. Already, the 20-year-old boxer from the UK is being compared to the most terrifying heavyweight of all time, Mike Tyson, thanks to his perfect 11-0 record and nine devastating knockouts.
There’s more to it than that. Power punch fans and boxing purists are both won over by his deadly combination of speed, power, and ring intelligence. Plus, he plans to break Mike Tyson’s record of 38 years as the youngest heavyweight world champion by becoming the first person to do so. May 19, 2025, is the deadline.
The early years of Itauma, who was born on December 28, 2004, in the town of Kežmarok in Slovakia to parents from Nigeria and Slovakia, were influenced by more than just the severe weather.
His family fled to Chatham, Kent, in quest of safety and opportunity after enduring a childhood marred by racial prejudice. It’s an integral part of who I am,” Itauma explains.
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The fact that we weren’t treated equally to everyone else is something I wouldn’t change. We would be noticed as the sole Slovak people of African descent, but I take great pride in my heritage.”
Itauma attributes his exceptional tenacity, forged in the fires of hardship, to the combined strength of his family’s traditions.
To paraphrase another British-Nigerian heavyweight sensation, Anthony Joshua, “I think I got the best of both worlds, that Slovak toughness, mentality and I’m strong physically from my Nigerian side.” He uses these same words.
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Despite being born with the name Enriko, he now fights under the middle name Moses—a nickname his promoter recommended as a way to make people afraid and pay attention. Whenever he climbs a rope, he gives the command.
Suddenly a fearless rookie becomes a dogged knockout performer
Karol, Itauma’s older brother, encouraged him to try lacing up gloves for the first time when he was nine years old. Still, he didn’t fall head over heels for boxing on his first attempt. I was initially dissatisfied,” he confesses.
I struggled. I took a brief break to play football, but I quickly became bored with the game. Something clicked for him when he got back into boxing at Chatham’s St. Mary’s ABC. Itauma started to develop his own style—powerful yet surprisingly agile—after being inspired by Prince Naseem Hamed’s colorful brilliance.
From what he remembers, Naseem’s dancing and knockout moves were included on a highlight reel that he must have viewed fifty times. I strive to channel that intensity into my battles, even though my style is unique.”
In 24 battles as an amateur, he never lost a match and won gold at every level, from school championships to the Youth World Championships. However, Itauma’s full, scary potential was unleashed when he joined the professional ranks.
In January 2023, he made his spectacular debut at Wembley Arena against Marcel Bode of Germany. His debut lasted only 23 seconds. Which fight was his second? Ramon Ibarra was destroyed in 35 seconds. A bout between Itauma and Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko in 2023, for example, went the distance, but his domination was always clear.
But it was in December 2024 that he made his loudest statement yet—blowing out world-rated contender Demsey McKean in under two minutes on the undercard of the Usyk-Fury rematch in Saudi Arabia. After 12 rounds with the tough Filip Hrgovic, McKean was helpless in the face of Itauma’s ferocious attack.
Famous trainer Ben Davison, who has worked with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, feels that Moses has what it takes to become one of the best heavyweights of all time—if he keeps focused.
Davison, a legendary trainer of modern boxing greats, is quite confident in the young heavyweight’s extraordinary potential.
By deciding to stay away from him, Tyson Fury himself provided a powerful endorsement. In July 2024, Fury sparred with Itauma and called him “the future of the heavyweight division.” Fury also called the prospect of fighting Itauma “a stupid fight.” His reluctance tells more than words could ever express about a man who has fought alongside nearly every great heavyweight of his generation.
Itauma is the next great heavyweight for Nigerian fans, continuing a glorious tradition that began with him. Itauma, like Anthony Joshua, who hails from Sagamu in Ogun State, represents the grit and determination of Nigerians on the international boxing stage.
However, Itauma brings an ire reminiscent of Tyson’s prime—a fierce intensity that seemed doomed for greatness—in contrast to Joshua’s frequently poised and patient boxing style.
Should Itauma deliver his promise, he may not only join Joshua in heavyweight monarchy but surpass him, initiating a new era for Nigerian boxing dominance.
Great acclaim, enhanced possibilities. Famous heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk predicted the sport’s future superstar in February 2025. “The warrior Moses Itauma is second to none. His age is immaterial. Usyk added to the swelling chorus of acclaim by saying, “He’s got a big future” in an interview with Talksport.
Itauma is very close to being crowned champion, having already won the WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title with a technical knockout victory over Ilja Mezencev of Germany in the second round. With two successful defenses under his belt, he is still hungry for more glory.
“My goal was to surpass Tyson’s record,” he declares. On my end, I have taken all necessary steps. I will have tried my hardest, so if it doesn’t work out, that’s okay.
“If the fight is offered, I’ll take it,” he said publicly, indicating his readiness to challenge IBF champion Daniel Dubois. full confidence.