Anthony Joshua, the UK's heavyweight champion for over a decade, has a new rising star in his sights: Moses Itauma. Itauma, a 21-year-old British prospect, has already stopped 12 of his first 14 opponents and is on the cusp of a world title shot. What's more, he could become the second youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history. But what does Joshua think of Itauma? In a recent interview with Ring Magazine, Joshua summed up Itauma in just one word: 'talent'.
Itauma's rise to prominence is impressive, to say the least. He's yet to box beyond the sixth round in his professional career, but he's already stopped 12 of his 14 opponents. This is a stark contrast to Joshua's early career, where he won by stoppage in his first 20 fights after claiming the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. But what makes Itauma's rise even more fascinating is the potential for him to become the second youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history. If he can beat Filip Hrgovic in August, he'll be in line for a world title challenge, and the door will be open for him to challenge for the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles.
Personally, I think Itauma's rise to prominence is a testament to the power of talent and hard work. It's also a reminder that the boxing world is always evolving, and new stars are always emerging. But what makes this story even more interesting is the contrast between Itauma's rise and Joshua's own journey to the top. Joshua's early career was marked by a destructive style, while Itauma's rise has been more measured and calculated. This raises a deeper question: what does it take to become a true heavyweight champion?
In my opinion, Itauma's rise to prominence is a fascinating development in the boxing world. It's a story of talent and hard work, but it's also a story of contrast and evolution. As we look to the future of boxing, it's clear that new stars are always emerging, and the world is always changing. But what will it take for Itauma to become the next true heavyweight champion? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: the boxing world is always evolving, and the story of Moses Itauma is a testament to that.