Moses Itauma Plotting A Performance That Will Live Long In The Memory

Moses Itauma is getting used to the big occasion. The 19-year-old heavyweight prodigy sauntered down the red carpet at Tuesday’s grand arrival event looking every inch the future star. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk may well be fighting for the undisputed heavyweight championship on Saturday night, but their heir apparent might just be fighting on the undercard.

Itauma, 8-0 (6 KOs), has been boxing professionally for less than 18 months but this is already the second time that he has been featured on a Saudi super card. So far, all evidence – be it anecdotal or physical – suggests that it won’t belong before he starts edging closer and closer to the top of the bill.

Itauma – who fights Germany based Kazakh, Ilja Mezencev, 25-3 (21 KOs) – accepts that he is a member of a star studded supporting cast this weekend and isn’t at all fazed by the thought of boxing on such a big stage.

“No, not really. I feel like if I look at it as, ‘Wow, I’m on a big stage’ it might be the last time I am on a big stage so I have to push it to the back of the room and then afterwards think, ‘Yeah, I’ve done something big.’

“It’s a blessing to be back. I was here for the last Tyson fight and what more could I ask for? It’s a spectacular event. I can’t wait for Saturday night,” he told Queensberry.

Despite his tender years, Chatham’s Itauma has been sparring with the best names in heavyweight boxing for some time. He has spent time working with Fury and recently joined Ben Davison’s talented stable where he brushes shoulders with two-time unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, on a daily basis.

Should Itauma do as expected and beat Mezencev, the southpaw will leave the ring with his first piece of hardware slung over his shoulder. A sure sign that the first part of his apprenticeship is over and his seemingly inevitable march towards world title level has begun.

“Hopefully, it’s the first of many,” he said. “I just want to be on big cards like this and big stages and win titles for my country, for my family and for everyone. Maybe I can put on a show that everyone will enjoy and think, ‘I saw him early in his career.’

“I’m blessed to be in the position I am. There are a lot of fighters around the world who don’t get the opportunity I’ve got so I’ve definitely grabbing it with both hands and doing my best to make the most of it.”