Moses Itauma can become ‘global star’ – this stat shows why he deserves Mike Tyson treatment

Moses Itauma oozes ‘brilliance’ and will show this weekend that he’s boxing’s next global star.

That’s the view of former European champion and talkBOXING regular Spencer Oliver, who believes Britain must get behind Itauma as the 21-year-old bids to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion.

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Itauma fights well-versed Croatian Filip Hrgovic, who has lost just once and has 15 knockouts in 21 professional bouts, for the IBF heavyweight belt at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.

Last time out in March, the 6ft 4ins Kent native viciously stopped Jermaine Franklin, seven months removed from a first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia.

Itauma, 14-0 in his career, has already been compared to heavyweight greats like Muhammad Ali and Oliver says it won’t be long before he’s recognised on the world stage.

Itauma backed for global superstardom

“I think we get not just a new British heavyweight star, but a new global world star in Moses Itauma this weekend,” Oliver said on talkSPORT’s Fight Night, previewing Itauma vs Hrgovic.

“He can become the second-youngest ever world champion, in front of Floyd Patterson, just behind Mike Tyson by a couple of months.

“Let me tell you an incredible stat: Rounds boxed before a world title shot in the heavyweight division.

“Mike Tyson had boxed 74 rounds before boxing for a world title shot when he became the youngest heavyweight champion.

“Muhammad Ali boxed 101 rounds before winning his world title… Moses Itauma has only boxed 31 rounds before facing Filip Hrgovic for the world IBF heavyweight title.

“That shows you how quickly this kid is moving.”

Some boxing fans have suggested the challenge of Hrgovic — who last time out put a beating on Briton Dave Allen, part of talkSPORT’s coverage this weekend — comes too early for Itauma.

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While others say those who have fallen to Itauma, such as Franklin and Whyte, were well past the peak of their powers.

However, Oliver believes those opinions are simply egregious.

Why Itauma deserves Tyson treatment

“I don’t think so,” Oliver responded when asked if Hrgovic is too big a step up for Itauma.

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. I’ve seen it. The coming-of-age fight was Dillian Whyte when he went out there and obliterated him.

“Let’s give this kid the props. When a young Mike Tyson, at 20 years of age, went through Trevor Berbick like a hot knife through butter and knocked him out in two rounds, they said, ‘This is a global star.’

“Let’s get behind Moses Itauma. Acceptance is a great thing. This kid has brilliance and we’re going to find that out this Saturday against the very stern, tough Filip Hrgovic.”

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Oliver believes Itauma will stop Hrgovic between rounds eight and 10, with cuts to the Croatian likely leading to the finish.

Oliver, Allen, Adam Catterall and John Rawling will be calling the action live on talkSPORT 2 from 7.30pm UK time on Saturday before the fights head to talkSPORT from 9pm.

An open workout is scheduled to take place at Spitalfields at 5pm on Wednesday, before a press conference at 1pm on Thursday and ceremonial weigh-ins from 6.30pm on Friday.

Albanian heavyweight Nelson Hysa, 41, was added to the event’s undercard just this week.

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