MOSES Itauma reaffirmed his world-level potential by blasting away Mike Balogun inside two rounds. Showcasing his skills and power to a Glasgow crowd waiting patiently for Josh Taylor, the widely proclaimed future heavyweight ruler showed why the pugilistic praise is already so high.
Looking sprightly, carrying 254lbs, Itauma started off snapping his southpaw jab at the body. It wasn’t long before the heavy artillery landed, in the form of a couple of clubbing left hands. Down after just 90 seconds of the opener, Balogun took his time getting back up. Itauma stepped off and let the Maryland ‘Silverback’ let off some return steam before getting stuck back into the visitor.
Balogun was down again in the second, suffering an extremely heavy knockdown as Itauma blasted in a well-timed right hook. Rising off the canvas, taking the fight to the Chatham power puncher, Balogun returned to the floor seconds later from another swiping right hand. This time it was over.
The official time was announced as 46 seconds of round two when referee John Latham called it off. Moses walked out of the ring with the WBO Intercontinental and WBA International heavyweight titles.
“Ring intelligence, moves like a middleweight and punches every bit like a heavyweight,” purred DAZN lead commentator Adam Smith as Itauma moved to 12-0 (10 KOs). Balogun dropped to 21-2 (16 KOs), suffering his second career loss and stoppage. The unused judges were Jean Robert Laine, Manuel Oliver Palomo and Bob Williams.
“He’s a tough cookie, man,” joked Itauma, surprised that Balogun managed to keep getting up.
Manager Francis Warren reckons Itauma will appear on the July 19 Wembley card. “This guy is going from strength to strength. We’ll pick some guys who’ll take him some rounds. If he carries on this trajectory, we’ve got a global star on our hands,” added Warren Jr.
