Moses Itauma is “ready to go to war” on Saturday night when he fights on the undercard of the Usyk versus Fury 2 extravaganza in Riyadh.
The rising star in the heavyweight division takes his 10-0 unbeaten record into the ring when he faces off against Australian Demsey McKean at the Kingdom Arena.
Itauma, from Chatham, has already been touted as a future champion after a series of devastating performances – many on the biggest stages.
The 19-year-old has already seen off potential threats with ease. He produced second-round stoppages to bat away Mariusz Wach at the O2 in July and Ilja Mezencev in May when he fought on the undercard of the first Usyk vs Fury blockbuster.
Weekend opponent McKean has fought in 23 professional bouts, winning 22 of them – 14 by KO. His only defeat came last time out, in August last year, when he was stopped in the final round of 12 in his fight against Filip Hrgovic.
Itauma, who is striving to become the youngest heavyweight world champion in history, will be wary of the opponent he faces next, saying: “I’ve never seen a seven-rounder, an eight-rounder, a nine-rounder or a ten-rounder.
“I’ll be prepared for a ten-rounder but it’s not going to go ten. I don’t want it to go ten. Demsey’s had a lot more fights than I have, but I didn’t start boxing yesterday.”
Itauma, a former world youth champion, is grateful for a decent challenge – one he admits wasn’t for everyone.
“[He was] the only one who took the fight,” Itauma said.
“I’ve got to thank him for that because it takes two to tango.
“Me and Demsey are going to go to war and I’ll have to knock this man out.”
Eight of Itauma’s 10 professional wins have been by way of knockout and six of them came inside the first round. It’s the kind of record that’s had the likes of Fury himself billing the Kent heavyweight as being the next big thing in the division.
Ituama has once again been sparring with Fury ahead of this weekend’s event. ‘The Gypsy King’ will be out to defeat unbeaten Usyk in his rematch after losing on a split decision when the two men first met earlier this year for a unification bout.
Itauma is already looking beyond his own fight, saying: “There are very good fights to be made.
“I want to be climbing the rankings and get myself to a world title – that’s what I’m in this game for.
“The level I’m boxing at and the level that I am at is not the same. With these slow little step ups I’ll be able to show people the level that I am at.
“It’s scary my potential and where I can go.”
It’s been speculated that Itauma could face David Adeleye for the British title in May next year. Adeleye is the current champion, winning the title with an opening-round stoppage to see off Solomon Dacres.
Fighting on the same show in Riyadh is fellow British prospect Johnny Fisher (12-0.) He faces David Allen on Saturday night and said ahead of that fight that he and Itauma could one day meet in the ring.
“I’ll fight anyone,” said the Londoner. “I’m not a Man City an AC Milan or a Liverpool – I’m a cold night away in Stoke. You need to pull your socks up and put your shinpads on to beat me!
“Moses Itauma is a great talent and I have so much respect for him and that is a massive fight for the British public down the line and I think that can happen.”
