Itauma has been sparring unbeaten former Olympian.
In just under two weeks’ time, Moses Itauma will be stepping into the ring against Filip Hrgovic to challenge for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
At 21 years old, a victory for Itauma would mean he would become the youngest British heavyweight world champion in history and the second-youngest (behind only Mike Tyson) regardless of nationality.
In addition, the Briton would become the youngest active world titlist, beating out America’s Abdullah Mason, the 22-year-old current WBO lightweight titlist.
Mason actually won that title in a close November victory over Sam Noakes, who fights on the Itauma vs. Hrgovic undercard against Denys Berinchyk, who himself used to be the WBO champion at lightweight.
Regardless, before Itauma makes history, he must first get past Hrgovic, a granite-chinned contender with proven amateur pedigree and experience at the top level. That, of course, is not a given by any stretch of the imagination.
At least, it shouldn’t be. In the event that Itauma is truly the talent many in the boxing fraternity believe him to be, perhaps he will deal with his foe in somewhat convincing fashion.
At the moment, though, we do not know for sure. That is why it will be so interesting to find out.
And ahead of the biggest test of his career, it has been confirmed that Itauma has been preparing by sparring Nelvie Tiafack, a Cameroonian-born German who won the bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The 27-year-old Tiafack is signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and will next be fighting this Friday against fellow unbeaten heavyweight Salvador Zavala Molina on the Amanda Serrano vs. Lucrecia Manzur undercard.
Tiafack–who has won all four of his professional fights (three inside the distance)–has spoken very highly of Itauma, who he has teased a fight with sometime down the line.
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