Latest news with #BenDavison
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Who is Moses Itauma? Fight record, stats, next bout and more
Moses Itauma will return to the ring this weekend, taking on Mike Balogun at the OVO Hydro Arena on the Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman undercard. This will be the Brit's first fight in 2025 as he continues his rise through the heavyweight ranks. Itauma has become one of the most exciting prospects in boxing and is a name to be remembered - so here is everything you need to know about Britain's next heavyweight hope. Who is Moses Itauma? Moses Itauma, born in Slovakia in 2004, moved to the UK with his family when he was four and started boxing at the age of nine. His short-but-successful amateur career included winning three national titles, three European titles and one world championship. But the heavyweight had Mike Tyson's record as the youngest ever heavyweight champion in his sights - signing with Queensberry Promotions just after his eighteenth birthday. What is Moses Itauma's record? After the success of his amateur career, Itauma hit the ground running, winning his debut fight via knockout in 23 seconds at Wembley Arena in 2023. He fought a further six times that year, finishing with a record of 7-0 (5 KO's). Itauma fought again early in 2024, knocking out Dan Garber in one round before making the choice to change his trainer from Alan Smith to Ben Davison, the former coach behind Tyson Fury. Still just nineteen, the young prospect fought for the WBO intercontinental title, knocking out Ilja Mezencev in the second round in Saudi Arabia to mark the beginning of his partnership with Davison. Back on home soil in July of 2024, Itauma took on his toughest test in heavyweight gatekeeper, Mariusz Wach, who has shared the ring with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte and Martin Bakole. He dispatched Wach in the second round to retain his WBO intercontinental title. Another knockout victory followed five months later, this time by stopping Dempsey McKean in the first round. Itauma ended the year with 11 wins, 0 losses and 9 knockouts. Aside from two early points decisions, none of the Brit's opponents have survived to see the second round. He is ranked in the top ten with three out of the big four organisations – number two with the WBO, number three with the WBA and number seven with the IBF. Total fights: 11 Wins: 11 Losses: 0 Knockouts: 9 Rounds: 23 When is Moses Itauma's next fight? Itauma will enter the squared circle this weekend to fight Mike Balogun at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow on the Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman undercard. Balogun, 21-1 (16), has some noticeable names on his record. He lost by knockout in ten rounds to former cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev in Armenia. He also stopped Trey Lippe, the son of former champion Tommy Morrison, in one round in New york in 2021. Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Show me the money' – Anthony Cacace celebrates with a cigar in the ring after landing huge pay day with Leigh Wood win
ANTHONY CACACE celebrated in style as he snatched his latest world-champion scalp with a ninth-round stoppage of Leigh Wood. The pair of 36-year-olds clashed at super-featherweight at Woods' local Nottingham arena. 4 4 4 But the Belfast beast - who beat Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington in his previous two outings - overpowered his fellow veteran just before the championship rounds. He marked the money-spinning win by posing in the ring with his team, Frank Warren and some big cigars. Forest fan Wood had got his jab firing off quickly, tagging Cacace to head and body. But the Northern Ireland ace was clever and spiteful, slashing right hands in, when Wood dared get too close. Cacace settled into the second and started to land his left hooks. But, right on the bell, Wood rolled under an attack and seemed to crack his rival with a perfect left hook. Wood's double jabs in the third were crisp and caused switch-hitter Cacace to turn southpaw for the first time. It was a nip-and-tuck affair until Cacace took over and in round nine he put one foot on Wood's neck and the other on the accelerator. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 A left hook robbed Wood of his balance and his soul. And trainer Ben Davison expertly threw in his white towel, to save his man, and spark wild celebrations back in Andytown. The former world champ, who relinquished his title to face Wood, said: "I took this fight purely for money. "It was for double what the world title defence of my old belt would have been. "I am 36 now, so 'Show me the Money!'
