Heavyweight boxing might have found its next headline act – and his name is Moses Itauma.
The 21-year-old phenom continued his blistering rise through the land of the giants on Sunday against contender Jermaine Franklin at the sold-out Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
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Franklin had never been stopped in his career against the likes of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. But that changed as Itauma scored a scintillating knockout at the 1:33 mark of the fifth round.
Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) was in control throughout with his lightning-quick hands and exceptional boxing IQ overwhelming Franklin.
It started to crumble for Franklin in the third round when Itauma landed a quick right hand to drop Franklin for the first time in his career.
Then Itauma closed the show in the fifth when the youngster unloaded a violent left uppercut.
The shot wobbled Franklin, and when he was on his way down, Itauma blasted a right to close the show to continue his rapid ascent and possible title shot in 2026.
Promoter Frank Warren was quick to underline the scale of the performance.
“I can’t think of any fighter of his age … And I include Mike Tyson looking at the guys he fought in his 14th fight [who compares],” said Warren.
“And you look at the quality of the opposition he’s fought and what he’s done with them. It’s amazing.”
COMPARISONS TO MIKE TYSON
Itauma’s explosive rise has inevitably drawn comparisons to Mike Tyson, who left a similar trail of destruction on his way to the heavyweight title.
The young Brit, however, isn’t entirely convinced.
“I like it and I don’t [comparisons],” said Itauma.
“Obviously it’s great to be compared to such a legend in the sport, but like you guys [media] mentioned, the comparison is success at a young age.
“Apart from that, there’s not really much to say that we’re very similar. I guess we’re kind of a polar opposite. I guess we both just love knockouts.”
Still, others see the parallels.
Legendary boxing promoter Shelly Finkel was witness to the rise of Tyson – and was ringside the night he knocked out Trevor Berbick to become the youngest heavyweight champ ever – says Itauma is special.
“The kid at this age of 21 what he has shown has been very special,” he told SunSport.
“I was in the front row with Jim Jacobs when Mike won the title against Trevor Berbick. I was with Mike and friendly in the amateurs so I’ve seen it.
“I know this kid has a good amateur background and to me he’s very, very composed and that to me is the key at the younger age.”
The great Roy Jones Jr has also drawn the comparison.
“Moses reminds me of a young Mike Tyson,” Jones told TalkSport.
“And the reason I say that is because when you put someone in front of him who he can hit, they are going down.
“Dillian Whyte was a guy who could get hit, and he got him out of there. That is exactly how a young Mike Tyson rolled.
“Mike did that on his way up, I like this from Moses because it is something exciting that he could get to almost what Mike Tyson did.
“That’s a beautiful thought, he may be better or he may not get there, but his potential is seriously exciting.”
While Tyson was certainly more active than the Brit – most fighters in the 1980s were – the way Itauma is finishing fights is eerily similar.
He’s taken out 11 of his 14 opponents inside two rounds as he blitzes his way through the ranks.
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE PRODIGY?
Itauma’s performance has increased talk that he is ready for a world title and his promoter, Frank Warren, has indicated that such an opportunity could come this year.
But what route will Itauma go down?
For now, the WBA appears to be the clearest path with Murat Gassiev their regular belt holder perhaps being the best chance to grab a portion of the title.
Although Oleksandr Usyk is the full champion, Itauma landing the regular version would provide him with something to celebrate whilst also opening the door for a showdown with Usyk.
Gassiev has made an indifferent start to life at heavyweight after a successful run at cruiserweight where he eventually lost to Usyk but a stoppage win against Kubrat Pulev last December provided a reminder what the Eastern European is capable of.
Another road for Itauma to go down is the WBO direction after they installed Itauma as their mandatory challenger following his win over Franklin.
Fabio Wardley is the current champion, but he trains alongside Itauma at Ben Davison’s gym so that fight is already a non-starter.
Wardley defends his crown against Daniel Dubois on May 9, and if the latter can grab success, Dubois vs Itauma for the heavyweight title could become Britain’s latest stadium encounter.
All eyes will be on that fight and if Dubois can get the win, Itauma may see that as a good chance to become heavyweight champion.
With Agit Kabayel remaining unmoved with the WBC as he awaits a shot at Usyk, Itauma will have to wait to compete for the green and gold belt as the unbeaten German continues to be patient.
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Itauma is ranked number 11 with the IBF so there will be no title shot with that governing body just yet, but his win over Franklin may see his ranking increase.
For now, the WBA and WBO appear to be Itauma’s quickest route to the top of the division and after May 9, his position will become even clearer.
Parts of this story originally appeared on DAZN News.