Latest news with #Itauma
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'Do you think I'm stupid?' - Tyson Fury has very clear opinion of Moses Itauma
Fury has been hinting at a potential return to the ring over the last few weeks, but should he return, the British star has refused to take on Itauma Tyson Fury has previously shut down a potential fight with rising star Moses Itauma as the Brit acknowledged the threat the youngster possesses. The 'Gypsy King' officially announced his retirement from the sport of boxing back in January. The news came just weeks after he lost to long-time rival Oleksandr Usyk for a second time. Immediately after defeat to the Ukrainian in December, fans had hoped to see the Brit take on Anthony Joshua this year. However, his retirement announcement handed 'AJ' a significant blow. That said, over the last few weeks, the 36-year-old has hinted at a potential return to the ring after uploading several videos of him training in the gym. He recently reunited with coach SugarHill Steward as he ramps up training for a potential comeback. While a fight with Joshua seems the most realistic for Fury should be make a retirement U-turn, there is one man that he simply will refuse to fight. In a video uploaded to Queensberry Promotions, the 'Gypsy King' praised the rise of Itauma - but joked that he would never face him in the ring. 'Fight Moses Itauma? No, definitely not. Do you think I'm stupid?' said Fury. Itauma has already made a name for himself in the sport of boxing. In his professional career so far, the energetic knockout artist has fought on two of Fury's undercards in Saudi Arabia - drawing praise from the 'Gypsy King' - and looked flawless on both occasions. He has enjoyed success against the likes of Demsey McKean, Mariusz Wach and Ilja Mezencev - with many backing him to become a world champion in the very near future. The Brit made his return to the ring last month and battered Mike Balogun inside two rounds. The 20-year-old is finalising a deal to fight boxing veteran Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia on August 16. Immediately after Itauma's win over Balogun, boxing promoter Frank Warren shut down a potential heavyweight dust-up with Martin Bakole. Warren said to Queensberry Promotion's YouTube channel: "No! Bakole's got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening." "Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career," he remarked. "But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow. But I don't want him to pick me now because he'd be making a big mistake. He's playing with the fire. [But] he's a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I'm open to it."
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘He's miles off' – Brit heavyweight ace tipped for stardom ‘shouldn't be in conversation' for world titles, says rival
Anthony Joshua's rival has been named as the perfect opponent to face the youngster 'IRRESPONSIBLE' 'He's miles off' – Brit heavyweight ace tipped for stardom 'shouldn't be in conversation' for world titles, says rival Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RISING British boxing star Moses Itauma has been warned against taking on world titles fights at this stage of his career. Heavyweight rival Dave Allen reckons the 20-year-old has the talent, but lacks the necessary experience to challenge a world champion. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Moses Itauma has been tipped for stardom Credit: PA 3 Itauma won the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight bout against Mike Balogun in May Credit: PA Itauma's professional record stands at 12-0 with his most recent win against Mike Balogun in the WBO Inter-Continental bout in Glasgow. The Slovak-born Brit dropped his American opponent Bologun, 41, three times in two rounds, before ending it with a TKO. And WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Dave Allen has given his opinion on the breakthrough star. Allen told talkSPORT: 'I think he's the real deal, but to go from the opposition he is facing to a Joseph Parker would be irresponsible matchmaking. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS GENDER ROW 'LEAK' Leaked medical document 'proves gender row boxer Imane Khelif is male' 'People are talking about Itauma boxing for a world title soon, he is miles off it right now." 'He can beat anyone in two or three rounds at the moment. But we haven't seen him go past that yet. 'I think he's an incredible prospect, but that's all he is still." The rising heavyweight star turned professional two years ago and already has 10 KOs on his record. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Allen recognised Itauma's talent, but believes he should take a more calculated root to a shot at a world title. He added: 'We haven't even seen him box for a British title yet. Demsey McKean is British title level, he shouldn't be in that conversation for Joseph Parker yet. 'Back to the grind in a few days' - Anthony Joshua shows off results of elbow surgery as boxing star closes in on return 'Not for talent, offensively he is already one of the best heavyweights in the world. But he hasn't been hit back and hasn't been hit under pressure." Allen named Anthony Joshua's rival Jermaine Franklin as the perfect opponent to take him past the first rounds. The 33-year-old said: 'We need to see him in with someone who gives him a fight, I think someone like Jermaine Franklin. 'I think he can become world champion, but talk of titles right now is just too much, he's miles off." Itauma, who is Frank Warren's fighter, was initially tipped as the teenager to break Mike Tyson's youngest world champion record at the age of 20 years and four months. He will likely return on July 19 on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk's rematch with Daniel Dubois.
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘He's miles off' – Brit heavyweight ace tipped for stardom ‘shouldn't be in conversation' for world titles, says rival
RISING British boxing star Moses Itauma has been warned against taking on world titles fights at this stage of his career. Heavyweight rival Dave Allen reckons the 20-year-old has the talent, but lacks the necessary experience to challenge a world champion. 3 Moses Itauma has been tipped for stardom Credit: PA 3 Itauma won the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight bout against Mike Balogun in May Credit: PA most recent in the WBO Inter-Continental bout in Glasgow. The Slovak-born Brit dropped his American opponent Bologun, 41, three times in two rounds, before ending it with a TKO. And WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Dave Allen has given his opinion on the breakthrough star. Allen told 'I think he's the real deal, but to go from the opposition he is facing to a Joseph Parker would be irresponsible matchmakin g. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS 'People are talking about Itauma boxing for a world title soon, he is miles off it right now." 'He can beat anyone in two or three rounds at the moment. But we haven't seen him go past that yet. 'I think he's an incredible prospect, but that's all he is still." The rising heavyweight star turned professional two years ago and already has 10 KOs on his record. Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Allen recognised Itauma's talent, but believes he should take a more calculated root to a shot at a world title. He added: 'We haven't even seen him box for a British title yet. Demsey McKean is British title level, he shouldn't be in that conversation for Joseph Parker yet. 'Back to the grind in a few days' - Anthony Joshua shows off results of elbow surgery as boxing star closes in on return 'Not for talent, offensively he is already one of the best heavyweights in the world. But he hasn't been hit back and hasn't been hit under pressure." Allen named Anthony Joshua's rival Jermaine Franklin as the perfect opponent to take him past the first rounds. The 33-year-old said: 'We need to see him in with someone who gives him a fight, I think someone like Jermaine Franklin. 'I think he can become world champion, but talk of titles right now is just too much, he's miles off." Itauma, who is Frank Warren's fighter, was initially tipped as the teenager to break Mike Tyson's youngest world champion record at the age of 20 years and four months. He will likely return on July 19 on the undercard of 3 Dave Allen said Itauma isn't ready for a chance at a world title Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Impossible to break Tyson record
Rising British star Moses Itauma says it was "impossible" for him to break Mike Tyson's record for the youngest heavyweight world champion. Tyson was 20 years and four months old when he became world champion in 1986, and Itauma passed that age on Saturday. Advertisement "When I turned professional it was about chasing that record. Now that record is off the books, I am just trying to take my time with it," Itauma told the BBC's 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast. "In the first two months of me being professional, I realised that goal's impossible. I was naive when I said that. I said that before I turned professional. "I didn't realise how much you can't control in this boxing game. You think since I turned professional, the world champions have been Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. "There's no way in two years I would have put myself in a position to fight them." Advertisement Itauma's two-round destruction of Mike Balogun on Saturday extended his record to 12 wins and 10 knockouts. He was initially marketed as the teenager to break Tyson's record, but denied it was only ever a clever "marketing strategy" for his career. Itauma is expected to challenge for a world title in the next few years and has been linked with a number of big names, including Joe Joyce. Martin Bakole, Jermaine Franklin and Otto Wallin hve been mentioned as potential opponents and Itauma's promoter Frank Warren has said he will fight on the undercard of Dubois' world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk on 19 July at Wembley Stadium. Advertisement Itauma does not expect his next fight to be a big name and said his team want him to be in some "10-round fights" before moving up a level in opponents. "There's guys that are tough cookies that ain't got a name. That's not ideal," he said. "You want a tough guy with a good name and they aren't cheap." More boxing from the BBC
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Not happening' – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit's latest brutal KO
The 20-year-old now has ten blistering knockouts on his record IT BOY 'Not happening' – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit's latest brutal KO Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOSES ITAUMA has had a major step up in competition ruled out as his next opponent. The Chatam clubber continued his surge up the heavyweight ranks in Glasgow on Saturday night with a blistering second-round KO of Mike Balogun. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Moses Itauma blew Mike Balogun out of the water in the Glasgow clash Credit: PA 4 Boxing fans are keen on seeing the Chatam clubber take on Martin Bakole next Credit: PA 4 Promoter Frank Warren has ruled out the prospect of Itauma fighting Bakole next Credit: Getty Itauma dropped the American three times as he stretched his perfect record to 12-0, with ten of those wins coming via knockout. Boxing fans are keen for the 20-year-old to take a step up in calibre of opponent, with Congolese-born Scot Martin Bakole being touted as an ideal opponent. But Itauma promoter Frank Warren insists Bakole, who was blown out of the water in his short-notice showdown with Joseph Parker in February, isn't in the running to face the prospect. When asked if the 31-year-old could face Itauma next, Warren told Queensberry Promotion's YouTube channel: 'No! READ MORE ON ITAUMA BAL OVER Itauma floors Balogun THREE times before brutal KO to tee up Usyk undercard bout "Bakole's got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening.' Bakole was ringside for Itauma's battering of Balogun and had some choice words for the slick southpaw. He said: "Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career. "But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Martin Bakole has warned Moses Itauma he's too big a step up in opponent at this moment in time Credit: GETTY "I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow. "But I don't want him to pick me now because he'd be making a big mistake. Moses Itauma: Future Heavyweight King is on Track to Break Mike Tyson's Record I Contender Documentary "He's playing with the fire. [But] he's a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I'm open to it." Itauma said of his latest demolition job: "I appreciate Mike Balogun, he is one tough cookie. 'I couldn't believe he got up from the second one. "Thanks to Mike Balogun for taking the fight, because nobody else would. "I don't have to worry about doing rounds, but my team wants to see me in a 10-rounder. "And then I want in with the big dogs."
