The heavyweight division has been packed with excitement in recent years and one KO artist is now backing himself to become the best in the world.
There has been plenty of movement and many great nights in the heavyweight division recently. Two Brits in Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been at or near the very top of the tree in that time.
Fury emerged as a long time WBC champion who had a hugely entertaining trilogy with Deontay Wilder, drawing one and wining two fights by KO.
At the same time, Joshua slowly picked up the other three major world heavyweight titles with wins over Charles Martin, Wladimir Klitskcko and Joseph Parker as well as making plenty of defences.
He and Fury both came unstuck against Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed cruiserweight who moved up and gave them both too many problems to solve. Over a combined 48 rounds and four fights, he beat both men twice to clean up all of the belts and rule supreme.
One young new star is Moses Itauma and he is now quickly moving through the ranks and hoping to beat Mike Tyson‘s record of being the youngest every world heavyweight champion at the age of just 19.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Itauma has backed himself to top the tree before too long.
“I see myself as the best in the world. That’s going to sound like I’m bragging, but I know who I am. In two years time, you’re going to be like cool, now I see why he’s so confident. That’s why back then I was so confident. And now I’ve shown a little bit, people are seeing why I was so confident.”
Itauma has already sparred the likes of Fury, who declared him a future world champion, and has knocked out the likes of Demsey McKean and Mariusz Wach in quick fashion in his last two fights.
The slick heavyweight from Kent – who’s father is Nigerian and mother Slovakian – combines a rare fluidity with fight-ending power and, fighting out of the southpaw stance, looks a nightmare for all-comers. He was born in Slovakia, and told the BBC his heritage is key to his success.
“It’s part of my identity, it’s not something I would change, but we weren’t treated the same way as everyone else. We would stand out because we were the only African Slovak people, but I am proud of my heritage.
“I think I got the best of both worlds, that Slovak toughness, mentality, and I’m strong physically from my Nigerian side.”
Itauma has stated he would already happily take on any of the current stars of the division including Daniel Dubois or Usyk, though he is more likely to progress steadier. Justis Huni has been mentioned as those behind him look to get him into the world title picture in 2025.
