On Saturday night the 21-year-old Moses Itauma expects to become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion in history, after Mike Tyson, when he fights Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic for the IBF title at the O2 Arena in London. In an attempt to sift through the hype and to assess the potential Itauma has shown, the Guardian asked Barry Jones and Andy Lee for their expert views on the strengths and possible weaknesses of the young British fighter. Itauma promises to become the dominant new force of the unpredictable heavyweight division but Hrgovic is his first real test as he strives to become a world champion in just his 15th fight.
Jones, a former WBO super‑featherweight world champion, is now the leading pundit in British boxing. His trenchant insights are matched only by Lee, who won the WBO world middleweight title before becoming the best trainer in Britain and Ireland. They shared their considered views of the most exciting heavyweight fighter to have emerged in years.
I’d heard lots of stories about Moses Itauma when he was sparring with really good fighters [as a 15‑year‑old]. The word was that heavyweights needed to avoid this teenager. But you know how people exaggerate, and we all get super‑excited with the big guys.
But then I started watching him fight and his movement immediately set him apart. I didn’t understand how he could think and move so quick. Most heavyweights are so focused on hitting the target because once they land they can hurt the opponent.
But Itauma finds angles and moves off the punches. He’s physically gifted but being able to use your brain is far more important. I often say what you do after the punch is almost as important as the punch itself.
Some fighters throw a good shot and they’re guilty of admiring their work. Or else they throw the punch and move too fast which means they’re not getting any purchase on the shot. But Itauma punches with power and precision and he knows how and when to move.
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