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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 Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Frank Warren predicts step up to world level for ‘special' Itauma
Moses Itauma will look to extend his unbeaten record this weekend against Mike Balogun at the OVO Hydro Arena on the Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman undercard. This will be Itauma's first fight of 2025 after a short battle with injury and he will be looking to pick up where he left off last year, with a knockout. His promoter Frank Warren has predicted a world championship and more for the heavyweight. Warren, on the Queensberry Promotions YouTube channel, said: '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.' Although Mike Tyson's record for the youngest heavyweight champion is now out of reach for Itauma, the Queensberry boss is already eyeing up a record held by Naseem Hamed. He said: 'He's not going to get that record now of becoming the youngest-ever heavyweight champion, but he could become Britain's youngest ever champion.' With Itauma already ranked in the top ten across three of the four major organisations, the Brit is at the same level as Martin Bakole and Filip Hrgovic. A fight with Bakole is one that Warren would be happy to make. He told BoxNation last week that Itauma would knock out the Congolese heavy hitter. Itauma had the opportunity to address the rumours of such a fight today before the Taylor-Essuman press conference. He dismissed Bakole as a spent force in the heavyweight division. Itauma told talkSport: 'Bakole is probably not a wise idea, because he's not the man he once was. If he manages to get that 'bogeyman' title back, then it's a good opportunity to fight him. But you wouldn't fight a man after he's just been knocked out by Joseph Parker and has had a trash performance against Efe Ajagba – what do you get out of that?' Frank Warren is confident that the Kent fighter will be the mandatory challenger for a heavyweight title soon. Warren told BoxNation: 'This year is a big year for him, it's a big year for British heavyweight boxing. A big fight on the 19th of July [Oleksandr Uysk vs Daniel Dubois] at Wembley – four belts on the line. [ Itauma's ] got his eyes on that, and he will be getting close to becoming a mandatory for a champion soon.' 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.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Moses Itauma's next fight opponent ruled out despite brutal Mike Balogun KO
The undefeated heavyweight sensation has been tipped for big things following his destructive knockout win over Mike Balogun on Saturday night Boxing promoter Frank Warren has shut down a potential heavyweight dust-up between Martin Bakole and rising star Moses Itauma. On Saturday night the 20-year-old continued his stunning rise in boxing with a scintillating second-round knockout victory over ex-American football sensation Mike Balogun. The British heavyweight prospect dropped Balogun three times in total as he extended his perfect record to 12-0. With ten of his 12 wins coming by way of knockout, many individuals within boxing are tipping the youngster to become a world champion in the very near future. Fans and experts alike are eager to see the promising British heavyweight step into the ring with a top-level opponent next. Bakole, 31, has emerged as a fan-favourite pick for Itauma's next challenge. The heavyweight boxer was beaten by Joseph Parker in February after stepping in on late notice and recently battled Efe Ajagba to a majority draw earlier this month in Saudi Arabia. Regardless of the chatter surrounding Bakole, Warren has clarified that he won't be matching up with the undefeated Brit. Regarding Bakole as a possible next opponent for Itauma, Warren said to Queensberry Promotion's YouTube channel: "No! Bakole's got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening." The Congolese boxer was ringside for Itauma's latest win and was quick to share his thoughts on the performance. "Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career," he remarked. "But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow. But I don't want him to pick me now because he'd be making a big mistake. He's playing with the fire. [But] he's a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I'm open to it." Reflecting on his victory over Balogun in Glasgow, Itauma shared: "I appreciate Mike Balogun, he is one tough cookie. I couldn't believe he got up from the second one. Thanks to Mike Balogun for taking the fight, because nobody else would. I don't have to worry about doing rounds, but my team wants to see me in a 10-rounder. And then I want in with the big dogs." In his short career so far, the British fighter has already appeared on two Tyson Fury undercards in Saudi Arabia, earning commendations from the 'Gypsy King' himself, and has delivered impeccable performances each time. His victories over opponents like Demsey McKean, Mariusz Wach, and Ilja Mezencev have led many to predict that he will soon clinch a world championship title and dominate the sport for years to come.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Not happening' – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit's latest brutal KO
MOSES ITAUMA has had a major step up in competition ruled out as his next opponent. The Chatam clubber continued his surge up the heavyweight ranks in Glasgow on Saturday night with a blistering second-round KO of Mike Balogun. 4 4 4 Itauma dropped the American three times as he stretched his perfect record to 12-0, with ten of those wins coming via knockout. Boxing fans are keen for the 20-year-old to take a step up in calibre of opponent, with Congolese-born Scot Martin Bakole being touted as an ideal opponent. But Itauma promoter Frank Warren insists Bakole, who was blown out of the water in his short-notice showdown with Joseph Parker in February, isn't in the running to face the prospect. When asked if the 31-year-old could face Itauma next, Warren told Queensberry Promotion's YouTube channel: 'No! "Bakole's got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening.' Bakole was ringside for Itauma's battering of Balogun and had some choice words for the slick southpaw. He said: "Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career. "But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 "I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow. "But I don't want him to pick me now because he'd be making a big mistake. "He's playing with the fire. [But] he's a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I'm open to it." Itauma said of his latest demolition job: "I appreciate Mike Balogun, he is one tough cookie. 'I couldn't believe he got up from the second one. "Thanks to Mike Balogun for taking the fight, because nobody else would. "I don't have to worry about doing rounds, but my team wants to see me in a 10-rounder. "And then I want in with the big dogs."
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman LIVE RESULTS: Moses Itauma with DEVESTATING KO as Taylor needs win in HUGE homecoming
JOSH TAYLOR will be desperate to make his home crowd proud TONIGHT as he faces Ekow Essuman in Glasgow - after Moses Itauma scored a BRUTAL second round KO of Mike Balogun! Scots hero Taylor needs a win to revive his career after suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall. However, Taylor has his work cut out with 36-year-old Essuman as the Engine goes into this bout having convincingly retained his WBO title during his last encounter against Ben Vaughan. On a packed undercard, highly-rated heavyweight prospect Itauma dropped American Balgoun THREE times inside two rounds in a spectacular victory. Don't miss a single punch from the OVO Hydro with our live blog below... Today, 18:22 By Nyle Smith The next Mike Tyson? There will be a lot of eyes on Moses Itauma tonight with the young heavyweight lighting the British boxing scene on fire after just 11 bouts. He has delivered nine brutal KOs in those fights and has even been dubbed the next Mike Tyson. Finding willing opponents willing to put their reputation on the line against the 20-year-old Londoner has been tough. American Mike Balogun - a former NFL star-turned 21-1 heavyweight - steps up to face Itauma tonight in Scotland. But Filip Hrgovic, 32, and Martin Bakole, 31, are two names in the running to fight the British youngster in the near future. Today, 18:16 By Nyle Smith Not so Taylor made Josh Taylor thought he did enough to win during his most recent grudge match against bitter rival Jack Catterall - but it wasn't to be. It was a real fight of two halves this evening as Jack Catterall seemed to dominate the first six rounds but then Josh Taylor came back into it. Despite this, two of the judges scored the fight 117-111 which all of the pundits agreed was ridiculous. Today, 18:09 By Nyle Smith Undercard in full Fans are looking forward to seeing Taylor top the bill against Essuman. But boxing lovers will also see heavy-hitting Moses Itauma throw his weight around the ring. Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman; Welterweight Nathaniel Collins vs Lee McGregor; Featherweight Aloys Junior vs Davie Jamieson; Cruiserweight Moses Itauma vs Mike Balogun; Heavyweight Luke McCormack vs Samir Cuentas; Light welterweight Alex Arthur Jr vs Robbie Chapman; Super middleweight Today, 18:02 By Nyle Smith Welcome Josh Taylor takes on Ekow Essuman in a Scottish homecoming fight TONIGHT! Taylor is looking to rectify back-to-back defeats as he takes on 36-year-old Essuman. 'The Tartan Tornado' Taylor comes into the clash off the back of two losses, having been beaten by Teofimo Lopez before losing his rematch to Jack Catterall in May 2024. Ekow 'The Engine' Essuman comes into the bout with a record of 21-1-0, with eight of his 21 victories coming by KO. Essuman's only defeat came at the hands of Harry Scarff in 2023, losing by unanimous decision in Manchester, meaning Taylor will look to be the first man to KO Essuman to get back to form. The Engine in turn looks to be the first man to KO Taylor, with both of his defeats coming by unanimous decision, with whoever can score the victory becoming the WBO international welterweight champion. But before this huge fight, there are several thrilling bouts on the undercard.
