It was merely one decade in the past when Mosea Itauma, the Slovakian-born heavyweight who grew up in Kent, England, sat by his tv as a wide-eyed grade college scholar to look at British Olympic hero Anthony Joshua’s thrilling knockout of newbie rival Dillian Whyte.
“I used to be 10 years previous,” Itauma instructed CBS Sports activities final week. “And now, I am boxing Dillian Whyte.”
Itauma (12-0, 10 KOs), the 20-year-old phenom who has been known as one of the best heavyweight prospect in 20 years, will headline his first pay-per-view card (DAZN PPV, 12:45 p.m. ET) on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a 10-round bout in opposition to the battle-tested Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs), a 37-year-old from Jamaica, who has solely misplaced to present or former world champions and stays one of many division’s most skilled and harmful opponents.
On one hand, Itauma is as excessive as a 12-to-1 betting favourite to defeat Whyte as highly effective Saudi Arabian adviser Turki Alalshikh continues to quick observe the southpaw slugger on a speedy street to world stardom. However however, Itauma has been knowledgeable for simply over two years, has by no means been previous six rounds and hasn’t made it out of the second spherical in 10 of 12 professional fights.
For many, the stress that Itauma is going through can be sufficient to interrupt them earlier than the stroll to the ring even takes place. Nevertheless it would not take lengthy earlier than speaking to Itauma that one realizes there’s one thing completely different concerning the demeanor and mindset of this younger fighter.
“Strain is at all times a factor however stress is a privilege,” Itauma mentioned. “Strain lets you exhibit your mettle. I take advantage of this second to type of use it to my benefit. I am 20 years previous however I attempt to not suppose like a 20-year previous. I attempt to suppose as if I am the place my competitors is at as a result of I do not wish to ever use my age as an excuse. I did not beat him as a result of I used to be 20. No, you did not beat him since you weren’t adequate. I do not wish to use that as an excuse.
“Dillian Whyte is an enormous battle and if I knock him out, it will be an enormous assertion.”
Simply 4 months shy of his twenty first birthday, Itauma is already too late to interrupt Mike Tyson’s boxing document because the youngest fighter to win the heavyweight championship at 20 years, 4 months and 23 days. But, it is not misplaced on Itauma what is really at stake within the Whyte battle.
Despite the fact that fellow heavyweights like former titleholder Joseph Parker and upstart Agit Kabayel have a stronger declare, from the standpoint of meritocracy, to be the following opponent for undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, Alalshikh has already gone on document in saying he’s keen to entrance the cash for an Usyk-Itauma battle subsequent ought to the intense prospect get the higher of Whyte this weekend.
“I do not like to make use of the phrase deserve as a result of you do not get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate,” Itauma mentioned. “However, I do really feel like Agit Kabayel and Joseph Parker ought to get a shot on the title however, additionally, I am right here to barter. If I eliminate Dillian Whyte in an excellent trend and the Usyk battle presents itself, it’s what it’s. If it do not, then it do not.
“I do not give it some thought. After Usyk knocked out [Daniel] Dubois [in their July rematch], my telephone had individuals messaging me, tagging me, DMing me. Clearly, Turki mentioned [Usyk-Itauma could be next]. All that’s good however I am right here specializing in Dillian Whyte. So, as of proper now, that stuff is type of irrelevant to me. However, if I’m going do a quantity on Dillian Whyte then the world is my oyster.”
One can take from Itauma’s phrases simply how centered he’s on Whyte and the way a lot he’s attempting not to consider matters like Usyk, stardom and the generational wealth that could possibly be not too far-off ought to he proceed profitable. A giant a part of Itauma’s early success has been his maturity and psychological self-discipline, which is one thing head coach Ben Davison has routinely talked about publicly.
Davison, who has skilled former heavyweight champions like Tyson Fury and Joshua up to now, additionally is aware of a factor or two about being a wunderkind, himself. Nonetheless simply 28, Davison was just one 12 months older than Itauma is now when he cornered Fury in his first battle in opposition to then-titleholder Deontay Wilder in 2018.
“I belief [Davison] as a coach and he trusts me to hearken to him as a fighter. I believe that’s type of the explanation why we work so nicely,” Itauma mentioned. “The important thing element is being aware. When you’re in coaching, some fighters are interested by all of these things that does not matter however, with me, I am very aware and within the coaching session. Ben has brazenly mentioned that I, within the fitness center, is likely one of the guys who pay attention essentially the most. Since I have been with Ben, all of my fights have been one or two rounds on the most and so they have not been in opposition to dangerous competitors.”
Itauma can also be a real scholar of the sport, which is evidenced by the proficient names he mentions when requested which boxers have most affected the distinctive fashion he brings to the desk immediately as a southpaw with insanely quick arms, nice footwork and energy in each arms. It is a checklist which incorporates “Prince” Naseem Hamed, Floyd Mayweather, Gennadiy Golovkin, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Gervonta “Tank” Davis and George Foreman.
Despite the fact that Itauma can not help however break right into a smile when revealing that his 2024 knockout of former title challenger Mariusz Wach led to individuals calling him “a heavyweight Manny Pacquiao,” Itauma stays steadfast about not desirous to be in comparison with anybody.
“I took this from Floyd [Mayweather] however I do not wish to be like several fighter, I would like my very own type of fashion and my very own id,” Itauma mentioned. “My very own id is a combination of all these fighters. It did not originate from me. There’s nothing I try this different individuals have not performed, it is simply that I’ve been capable of combine all of it in so nicely.”
In the end, the true key to Itauma’s early success seems to be simply how little he appears to be seduced by his personal hype.
“I do not wish to sound disrespectful however I do not actually care or take note of that as a result of, on the finish of the day, whether or not the followers love me or hate me, or whether or not they suppose I’m one of the best or the worst, it would not assist me contained in the ring,” Itauma mentioned. “So, I’ve simply obtained to do my job and I let the individuals discuss.”
