Tyson Fury believes 19-year-old British starlet Moses Itauma is the next big thing.
As Fury, Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk near the end of their careers, the debate over who will reign supreme among the next generation of heavyweight stars intensifies.
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Itauma is one of Fury’s sparring partnersCredit: Instagram – Tyson Fury
Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov and American standout Jared Anderson are often the two names that get mentioned most in that conversation.
But Fury is backing promising British prospect Itauma to make it to the top of the pile once he eventually hangs up his gloves.
Taking to Instagram, Fury wrote: “@m.itauma (Moses Itauma) is the future of the heavyweight division.”
Itauma is undoubtedly one of the most exciting up-and-comers in British boxing right now.
The Chatham-based boxer’s explosive all-action style has led to him being branded ‘Britain’s Mike Tyson’ in the national press while Itauma has eyes firmly set on breaking ‘Iron Mike’s’ record as the youngest heavyweight champion of all time.
He told The Mirror: “I want to become the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson who was 20 years old.
“I need to take small steps but also ensure that I step up the tasks very quickly. I want to do short steps but not too much with them.
“Youngest ever world heavyweight champion is in my mid-term goals but it is something that I can believe I can achieve before 2025.
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Itauma has been compared to Tyson in the national pressCredit: Getty
“It is not what I am thinking about right of this second, but I want to let that come once I have grown as a professional. I have gone from not having any press at all to this and it is crazy.
“I am in the right place because Frank Warren has all the other big heavyweights at the moment so I think I have a bright future.”
Since turning over as a professional at the age of 18, the teenage sensation has won all seven of his pro bouts, including five by way of first-round knockout.
It took him just 23 seconds to blast out Marcel Bode in his pro debut and 35 seconds to dispatch Ramon Alberto Ibarra to double his tally.
In the amateurs it was a similar story. Itauma remained undefeated at 24-0 and picked up gold at the Youth European and World Championships.
His stellar skills have led to him being used as a sparring partner for the likes of Joe Joyce, Joshua and Fury.
Most recently, he was drafted into Fury’s camp ahead of ‘The Gypsy King’s’ inaugural February fight date with Usyk to emulate the Ukrainian slickster’s style.
Itauma returns to the ring on Friday at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on the Chris Bourke vs Ashley Lane undercard.
He faces Dan Garber (6-2) in what, at least on paper, looks to be his toughest test to date.
