Britain’s Moses Itauma on Saturday announced himself as the future of boxing’s heavyweight division by stopping former world title challenger Dillian Whyte inside two minutes in Saudi Arabia.
Saturday’s win leaves the 20-year-old with his 13th straight professional victory – 11 of them by knockout.
While British fight fans celebrate their latest phenom, Itauma’s roots tell a richer story.
Though the rising star keeps his family life private, his ring style tells the story: those devastating combinations carry the unmistakable imprint of Nigeria’s boxing heritage.
Born to Nigerian father and Slovakian mother, Itauma’s unique Nigerian heritage is clearly paying off in the ring.
Though born in his Slovakian mother’s hometown of Kezmarok, Slovakia, in December 2004, it was his Nigerian father’s Nigerian heritage that shaped his warrior spirit, wrapping him in the rich traditions of two continents from his first cries.
The family’s move to Kent, England further shaped Moses’s worldview from a young age.
While the boxing world marvels at Itauma’s professional start, the true story lies in his bloodline. His father, Itauma Sr, who represents more than just half of his son’s genetic makeup – he embodies the fighting spirit of a nation that has produced warriors for generations.
Nigeria’s fighting spirit has long dominated the boxing world, producing warriors like the indomitable Dick Tiger in the 1960s and modern-day Anthony Joshua .
The Itauma boxing dynasty
While 20-year-old Moses dominates headlines as Britain’s hottest heavyweight prospect, he’s actually part of a carefully crafted boxing dynasty. His older brother Karol, the 2018 Youth Olympic gold medalist, has been lighting the path in the light-heavyweight division since turning pro.
This is no accidental sibling success story. Every jab Moses throws carries whispers of big brother’s advice; every footwork drill echoes techniques refined through Karol’s amateur triumphs.
Karol’s experience in the light-heavyweight division has probably helped Moses navigate the complexities of professional boxing from an early age.
The fact that both brothers have pursued boxing careers speaks to their parents’ supportive approach to their children’s sporting ambitions.
