MOSES ITAUMA is shaping up to be the next great boxing superstar.
The British wonderkid, with a Nigerian dad and Slovakian mum, at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena that the American froze solid on the spot.
Heavyweight boxing is in safe hands with Moses ItaumaCredit: Getty
Itauma smashed Jermaine Franklin with a brutal uppercutCredit: Getty
Anthony Joshua is approaching the end of his careerCredit: Getty
And 24 hours after , Itauma, 21, was officially let off the leash and crowned king of the jungle on Saturday night.
And British boxing fans — who have worried about the barren landscape of a post-Anthony Joshua world — can feel reassured that we have a decade of Itauma dominance on our doorstep.
Without a golden London 2012 Olympic launchpad, or a penchant for singing songs and spilling the family secrets on Netflix, no-nonsense pure-talent is going to do it only with his fists.
In the bowels of the Co-op Live, moments after making a statue out of his respected 32-year-old opponent with a .
And for a man who winces at the sight of journalists — but not terrifying opponents — he perfectly .
Without the pantomime showmanship of , or the ambassadorial business-speak of , Kent-based Itauma has so far spent 75 minutes blitzing the heavyweight division across 14 fights.
He said: “There’s something about boxing that’s so pure.
“Like going into an arena and having a fight and putting yourself in a vulnerable position to, I guess, lose your self-respect.
“It’s just something that I enjoy, because it can’t be faked.
“Anything else can be faked. Love can be faked, happiness can be faked. But, that in there, that’s as real as you get.
“I was able to be under that pressure and feel good. I guess I have come to terms with that reality — and I guess I like it.”
Outside the ring, Itauma is always flanked by three brothers and father Charles.
When SunSport was invited into his dressing-room after the highlight-reel finish to the bout, there were no D-list hangers-on loitering.
Just blood relatives making sure the star sibling is catered for.
It is a family affair for the Chatham hero, who celebrated his mum as his inspiration.
He explained: “After my mum decided to come to the UK, there was a period of time I stopped boxing.
“But I realised that my mum made so many sacrifices that I have got to follow through with this.”
Mrs Itauma raised a good boy. Her son was sickened when Franklin’s reckless corner complained that the referee’s instant stoppage of the bout came too quickly.
He said: “The only reason why I got a little bit annoyed was because I’ve been in training camp for like 14 weeks and like I trained so hard for this fight.
“So when I don’t get the credit I deserve, the credit that I’ve worked hard for, it annoys me a little bit.”
Before the phenomenal left-hand uppercut rocked Franklin rigid, Itauma had enjoyed his work so much that he grinned at his rival in the ring — but later regretted it.
He said: “I don’t know why I did that. I was being an idiot. I shouldn’t be smiling, to be honest.”
Itauma can leave the smug gurning to us boxing fans, who have no reason to fret about the after-AJ era, as the London 2012 legend and the Gypsy King edge closer to rich retirements.
Michigan man Franklin was unlucky not to get a decision against Dillian Whyte in 2022 and made a bloody mess of Joshua in 2023, before losing on points for the second time in his career.
Last year, Itauma blasted Whyte out inside two one-sided Saudi minutes, so he is blowing away benchmarks and barometers as well as gatekeepers.
He said: “I always knew I could do this but I didn’t think it would be so soon, I’ve just turned 21.
“Some other British heavyweights couldn’t do that to Franklin, and they’ve gone on to achieve successful things, so like what’s the limit for me?”
There is .
He has never lost a bout, as amateur or professional level, and combines freakish natural ability with the sort of devout dedication that only a try-hard usually needs.
Itauma is a right-handed southpaw who’s only new interests, as dangerous distractions of fame and fortune pile up at his door, are cooking and reading.
But underneath the skills and stance superlatives, there is a boxing savage.
He explained: “When I was in the ring, I was thinking a lot.
“I was trying to work to my coach’s instructions and the tactics that we had drilled on.
“And then, to be honest, when I threw that shot, it was just kind of instinctive — I didn’t even think about it.
“And I guess that they’re the ones, the exact ones, that close the show.”
Franklin had never before been knocked out until he stepped into the ring withCredit: PA
Tyson Fury brings plenty of pantomime – but Itauma is pure businessCredit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
