When asked to compare British heavyweights Tyson Fury and Moses Itauma, Prince Naseem Hamed said that one man is simply “on another level”.
With both at vastly different stages of their careers, it is difficult to determine whether one of them was, is, or will be “a million times better” than the other.
Equally, though, the fact that they are two active heavyweights makes it tempting to draw comparisons, or indeed decide who would win a potential showdown.
While a Fury fight could materialise down the line, Itauma must first face Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF title tomorrow evening.
If he proves successful at London’s O2 Arena, the 21-year-old will become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson dethroned Trevor Berbick in 1986.
But Hrgovic, on paper, represents his toughest challenge thus far, with Itauma’s best win coming via a fifth-round finish over Jermaine Franklin in March.
Many have therefore questioned whether he is ready for such an assignment at world level, given that most of his professional outings have ended inside two rounds.
Hamed, however, has told BBC Sport that he feels Itauma is already far superior to both Fury and Anthony Joshua.
“Moses is on another level to the likes of Tyson Fury and Tyson would say that himself. Tyson would not want to fight Moses and neither would Joshua. If they did, I would say they are very brave.
“I think Tyson Fury was amazing for British boxing and what he achieved, what he did and brought to the game and how colourful he was as a personality.
“I think Joshua did an amazing job early in his career to win a world title and be an ambassador for British boxing. [But] I can’t compare Moses. He is a million times better than them.”
With Fury and ‘AJ’ approaching the closing chapter of their careers, there is an opportunity for Itauma to become the next face of heavyweight boxing.
