WHEN Moses Itauma ran through Demsey McKean in just one round back in December, many assumed that the British southpaw sensation would next collide with an established contender in the heavyweight division.
However, boxing fans have instead been left confused by recent news that the 20-year-old will appear for the first time this calendar year against a relatively unknown 41-year-old American, Mike Balogun.
Boxing News takes a look at the intriguing career of Balogun, 21-1 (16 KOs). Why has he been selected as a suitable opponent for Itauma, 11-0 (9 KOs)?
Hailing from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Balogun impressed as a linebacker for the Oklahoma Sooners during college. He was signed to, and later cut from, the practice squads of each of the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2010.
However, that November, Balogun was signed by the Buffalo Bills and went on to play two games in the NFL before being released at the end of the season.
Three-and-a-half years later, Balogun made his professional boxing debut and notched an eye-catching record of 17-0 with 14 knockouts before being tasked with Trey Lippe, son of former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison, in what many deemed a 50/50 affair.
Yet, it would take Balogun just one round to register a career-best win and dispatch Lippe, who has not returned to the ring since their meeting in 2021.
Meanwhile, Balogun would then follow up that triumph with consecutive second-round victories of Sergi Ramirez and Marcus Oliveira to earn a shot at Murat Gassiev. The well-respected former unified cruiserweight world champion showed his ability to end Balogun’s unbeaten run and score a second-round knockout.
Balogun bounced back with a unanimous decision victory against Lamon Capers in March 2024 but has not fought since. So, with no ranking or name, fans are understandably left pondering how a meeting with Balogun will benefit one of boxing’s hottest prospects or better his quest for the coveted heavyweight crown?
Rumours suggest that Itauma and his team were indeed lining up a more difficult opponent, but the deal fell through. That left the Chatham-based big man looking at short-notice options as he seeks to end a five-month spell of inactivity—the longest run without a fight in his career thus far.
Additionally, Eddie Hearn continues to suggest a showdown between Itauma and his Australian heavyweight contender Justis Huni, 12-0 (7 KOs), who is ranked as the number one contender with the WBO. If made, that battle could see the victor soon progress to a world title shot.
Like Huni, Demsey McKean, and even Itauma himself, Balogun is another heavyweight southpaw, which will aid Itauma in his preparation for a clash with Hearn’s unbeaten Aussie later in the year. For as long as the fight lasts, this low-risk outing will allow the youngster to regain momentum and presumably fight again soon after.
