Chatham’s Moses Itauma is playing his part in preparing Tyson Fury to take on Oleksandr Usyk in next month’s highly-anticipated world heavyweight unification bout.
Itauma, who turned 19 in late December, will be on the undercard in Riyadh for the February 17 ‘Ring of Fire’ show and has been an important sparring partner for Fury.
Fury, who holds the WBC belt and is vying to claim Usyk’s WBA, IBF and WBO titles, called on Kent teenager Itauma for some ring work in Morecambe prior to them both heading out to Saudi Arabia for training.
Rising star Itauma has made a stunning start to his own professional career, winning all seven of his bouts during a hectic first year, including some eye-catching knock-outs.
He put Istvan Bernath away in Riyadh back in October and was quick to take down Michal Boloz when he fought at York Hall last time out. Both KO wins came inside the opening round.
Itauma hopes to be heavyweight world champion in record time – ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson won it when he was 20 years and 150 days old – but admitted being in the ring with Fury has given him an insight into what’s ahead.
South African Kevin Lerena was putting Itauma through his paces on Thursday but nothing compares to going toe-to-toe with Fury.
“He plays mind games with you,” said Itauma, speaking to KentOnline while on a break from training. “You feel like you’ve got him on the ropes and you’re about to hit him with a punch and he’s slipped it and caught you with a good three or four combinations.
“Being in the ring with him, it’s like ‘this is what a soon-to-be unified World champion is like’.
“You can tell the difference between British level, European level fighters and World level, being in with Tyson you can feel the difference.”
At least this time Itauma was prepared. His first time training with Fury came before they flew out to Saudia Arabia, motoring up to Morecambe after getting a call.
Itauma said: “I’d been home from a holiday in Marrakech for two days, I was unfit, definitely in no shape to be sparring but when my manager asked me ‘Do you want to spar Tyson?’ I was like, ‘This is a one in a lifetime opportunity!’
“I said ‘I am not even fit yet but said let’s do it’, so I drove up there, took about five and a half hours and did a full week of training with him. It was definitely a blessing.
“I remember after we had done four rounds, I had put all of my energy into those four rounds, I got out of the ring, I’m knackered, I’m tired but he is like ‘Come on, two more – get in!’ So, I was like, ‘cool’ and I had to push that little extra barrier of fatigue.
“I was definitely more prepared this time around.”
Itauma’s rapid rise in the pro game comes after a thrilling few years as an amateur where he swept all before him. He wants to be successful in quick time and is clearly getting noticed.
While assisting Fury, he has his own fight to prepare for as he’ll be on the undercard for what is expected to be one of boxing’s biggest nights.
It’s been some year for Itauma. Just a year ago he picked up the junior sportsperson of the year award at the Medway Sports Awards.
Even then he had his mind set on what he wanted to achieve saying: “I set myself high targets – I’m going to try and be the youngest-ever world champion and beat Mike Tyson’s record.”
May 2025 would be the date to chase down – a huge challenge but Itauma doesn’t lack confidence.
Some would say it’s been a dream year for the teenager, but Itauma said: “Dreams are for dreamers – I am here to forge a reality.
“I had a good year last year and hope to replicate it this year.
“I am just trying to take it fight by fight and we will get there one day.”
