Moses Itauma, considered a promising prospect in the heavyweight boxing world, added a resounding victory to his undefeated record by defeating Dillian Whyte in the first round.
The 20-year-old English boxer achieved his eighth knockout victory in the first round, after finishing Whyte with a right hook in just 119 seconds of a heavyweight non-title fight, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What’s next? I’ll fight anyone they put in front of me. Being honest, Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel deserve a shot [at the title], but include me with any of them. I’m ranked number 1 by the WBO, and Parker is up there too, so maybe that can happen.
Moses Itauma
I’m only 20 years old, so I have 10 or 15 years left. If I get the opportunity [to fight for a world title], I will be a world champion 100 percent.
Moses Itauma
Whyte, who was stopped in the sixth round by Tyson Fury for the WBC world title in April 2022, was Itauma’s most experienced opponent to date, but Itauma easily outboxed him.Moses Itauma detuvo a Dillian Whyte en el primer asalto de su combate de peso pesado sin título en Riad, Arabia Saudita.This was the most important test for Itauma on his way to becoming the next English heavyweight world champion, following the recent reigns of Anthony Joshua, Fury and Daniel Dubois.
Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) is ahead of the progress of the three mentioned at the same age, but a title opportunity is still far away, as Oleksandr Usyk holds the four world belts, and his next two opponents are expected to be Parker and possibly Fury.
Whyte (31-4, 21 KOs), 37, who moved to Brixton, London, from Jamaica in his childhood, has lost a bit of momentum in recent years, but remains a dangerous puncher who has wins over Parker (2018) and Alexander Povetkin (2020).
Itauma, a 6-foot-4-inch southpaw, born in Slovakia but who moved to Kent, England, as a child, demonstrated fast hands, smooth footwork, and concussive power in sweeping Whyte.
Whyte made Itauma wait in the ring before his entrance, but Itauma wasted no time in getting his jab working in the first round.
In a matter of seconds, Itauma began to connect power punches, and after hurting Whyte with a left hook to the temple, followed up with a barrage of punches to the head and body. Whyte was unsteady and the end seemed inevitable.
It arrived quickly when Itauma sent Whyte falling sideways against the ropes with a right hook to the temple.
It was another quick demonstration from Itauma, possibly the most exciting heavyweight right now, as he moves towards a world title opportunity.
