By Okolo Kaitochukwu
A new star is rising in the heavyweight boxing world, and his name is Moses Itauma, a 20-year-old British-Nigerian phenom who’s sending shockwaves through the sport with a ferocity that echoes Nigeria’s proud fighting heritage. Watching Itauma dismantle veteran Dillian Whyte in a stunning first-round knockout on August 16, 2025, at Riyadh’s ANB Arena, it’s clear this young lion is no ordinary prospect. His blistering speed, surgical precision, and raw power, culminating in a devastating right hook and flurry that left Whyte crumpled in under two minutes, have fans buzzing and pundits drawing comparisons to a young Anthony Joshua, whose Sagamu roots once heralded a similar ascent.
From the sidelines, Itauma’s performance was a spectacle of confidence and composure beyond his years. The southpaw’s quick jabs and body shots overwhelmed Whyte, a seasoned fighter who’s faced giants like Joshua and Tyson Fury, exposing the veteran’s fading reflexes in a clash that felt like a passing of the torch. Social media erupted, with X posts like @BBCSport’s “ONLY 20 years old! Is Moses Itauma the future of British boxing?” capturing the electric excitement. Nigerian fans, in particular, are roaring with pride, seeing Itauma’s Nigerian blood, his father hailing from Nigeria, as a continuation of the legacy forged by Joshua and Samuel Peter.
Itauma’s 13-0 record, with 11 knockouts, screams potential, but it’s his poise that stands out. Unlike Joshua’s early days, marked by raw power, Itauma blends finesse with ferocity, moving with a swagger that suggests he’s already eyeing the likes of Oleksandr Usyk. As Peter Oboh, a former British and Commonwealth champion, noted, “Itauma’s confidence is his strength. He’s already operating like a champion.” Yet, his observers also carry caution, can he take a punch from an elite foe? His fights, often ending before round two, leave that question lingering. For now, Itauma’s meteoric rise has Nigeria dreaming of another heavyweight king, and the boxing world is watching, wondering if Joshua’s shadow just got a new challenger.
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