Lennox Lewis was such a good heavyweight he is often used as a yardstick against which to judge other fighters.
Until recently when Oleksandr Usyk repeated the feat, Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight. He held all of the major titles when he retired back in 2003 after a tough fight with Vital Klitschko. Before that he beat everyone from Mike Tyson to Frank Bruno to Evander Holyfield.
Speaking to The Mirror, Former champion turned manager Barry McGuigan thinks British prospect Moses Itauma could be even turn out better than Lewis.
“In terms of talent I don’t think I have seen a British heavyweight as naturally gifted as 19-year-old Moses Itauma since Lennox Lewis came through 30-plus years ago. And he might even have the edge on him.”
Because Itauma, who counts promoter Frank Warren as one of his biggest fans, never fought as a senior in the England amateur squad he was unable to qualify for the Olympic Games this summer so instead of waiting for the next cycle he turned professional and now already boasts a record of 9 wins from 9 fights with 7 coming by way of knockout.
McGuigan had plenty of praise for his skills in the ring after seeing him spar IBF world champion Daniel Dubois.
“He demanded my attention immediately because he was so good. He has a natural rhythm in the ring. Hits hard and when he gets his opponent in trouble it’s light out. He’s a natural finisher. His distance control, balance, coordination and accuracy are all top class. There is probably not a better young heavyweight prospect in the world.
Jared Anderson, currently moving the needle in the States, is more advanced but this kid is special. He stalks opponents, throwing out that southpaw jab and when he catches you, he’s like a dog with a bone. He sparred only four rounds with Dubois but that was enough. When I see that kind of timing I think Terence Crawford. The way he slides in and out of position is properly old school.”
Itauma returns to the ring on July 27 against Mariusz Wach as part of the Joe Joyce vs Derek Chisora card in London.
