AT just 20 years of age, heavyweight wonderkid Moses Itauma is already being likened to two generational greats from the world of football.
The explosive knockout artist has, after all, displayed ample signs that he possesses many of the ingredients to craft a career that is revered, and widely celebrated, in years to come.
Clearly, he does not – at least, not at this stage in his progression – boast the accolades that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have added to their illustrious legacies.
But still, there is nonetheless a sense that, once he inevitably reaches world level, it would take a remarkably talented operator to even threaten his astronomical rise.
In his last outing, Itauma, 11-0 (9 KOs), wasted little time before punishing Demsey McKean, a sturdy contender in his own right, with a series of overhand lefts.
Out of the southpaw stance, that shot in particular just so happens to be one of his most potent weapons, rarely failing to find its target.
And now, while his next opponent is yet to be announced, the entire boxing community is seemingly holding its breath in anticipation, none quite knowing for sure whether Itauma is, in fact, a world champion in waiting.
Someone who has no doubt about his credentials at the elite level, however, is Jeamie TKV, a fellow member of the Ben Davison Performance Centre.
The 31-year-old will face David Adeleye for the vacant British heavyweight title on April 5, with the pair’s intriguing showdown featuring on the undercard of Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic.
But while, for this camp, TVK, 8-1 (5 KOs), has not called upon the services of Itauma, their previous rounds in sparring have given him more than enough confidence in his ability.
“[Itauma] obviously had a southpaw in his last fight but, when he’s fighting an orthodox [opponent] and he needs some rounds, I help him out a lot,” TKV told Boxing News.
“He’s just a good person to have around the gym – you know you can have a laugh with him.
“In football, you talk about Messi and Ronaldo but, in boxing, you’ve got to talk about Moses Itauma. He’s an amazing fighter.”
