British heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma has acknowledged he is not always comfortable under the bright lights, but is ready to come through a “long night” with Filip Hrgovic and embrace destiny.
Itauma can become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion of all-time behind Mike Tyson on August 29 when the IBF crown is on the line at O2 Arena, but experienced Croatian operator Hrgovic stands in the way.
The 21-year-old from Chatham was described as the hottest prospect in boxing by Queensberry promoter Frank Warren this week. Whilst Itauma is not entirely comfortable with stardom, he is ready to make history after it was announced on Tuesday he would fight for the vacant IBF belt.
“I didn’t really have no reaction. I was like, ‘if I’m fighting Hrgovic and I’ve got the opportunity for it to be for a world title? Yeah, chuck a world title on the line,’ I didn’t really have a feeling,” Itauma told British media on a Zoom call on Friday.
“I was taking Hrgovic serious and now that the fight is for a world title, I am still taking it serious. It is still the same fight.
“I just had an interview with BBC and they asked me what is the one thing that people don’t know about Moses Itauma? And I said, ‘I don’t actually want to be under the bright lights but with the way I am going, it looks like I ain’t got no choice.’
“I appreciate the compliment from Frank Warren. Do I agree? You know what it is, I feel like I am still developing the character, the person and the fighter I want to be like a lot of people up there have.
“It is hard to ignore Jaron Ennis, Shakur Stevenson, they are all still young so I wouldn’t be able to say I could outshine them if that makes sense.”
That type of modest attitude from Itauma has helped marry up incredible talent with an elite work ethic and earned him a world title shot in his 15th professional fight.
A string of devastating knock-outs have earned comparisons to American great Tyson, but Teddy Atlas, the old trainer of ‘Iron Mike’, believes Itauma is even better at this age than his old fighter.
“Teddy Atlas said that yeah? To be honest I am pretty sure Teddy Atlas put a gun to Mike Tyson’s head before no? I just think he doesn’t like Mike Tyson and is finding a way to dim his light,” Itauma smiled.
“Look, I don’t know, Teddy Atlas saying that, I do appreciate it.
“Tyson has had his career and I am still making my career. Of course I set out the goal to become the youngest heavyweight world champion. I didn’t achieve it but I landed the Dillian Whyte fight so it is step by step. What do they say? You shoot for the stars and land on the moon.”
Itauma first dreamed of becoming world heavyweight champion aged 16 or 17 but is under no illusions about the type of test Hrgovic will provide.
He said: “Of course he’s a very good fighter. He’s only had one defeat and he only lost because of the cut. Yeah, he’s solid. I’m in for a long night but I’ll be all right.
“I took the necessary steps to get to this position. If I had fought Mariusz Wach into Filip Hrgovic, I might have found out or learned a couple of things where I might have not been ready for where as right now I feel I am in a good space.”
