Moses Itauma, the 20-year-old British heavyweight sensation, knocked out Dillian Whyte in just 119 seconds. The young fighter retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental title with a stunning first-round finish.
Itauma unleashed a flurry of punches that sent Whyte against the ropes. A right hand to Whyte's temple staggered the veteran fighter into the corner. Itauma followed up with a combination that dropped Whyte to the canvas. Although Whyte got back up, he went down on his knees again, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Born in Kent, England in December 2004 to parents with Samoan and Slovakian roots, Itauma has quickly risen through the ranks. He turned pro in 2023 after a successful amateur career that saw him win European youth titles and become a world youth champion in La Nucia in 2022.
In just a year and a half as a professional, Itauma has racked up 13 wins with 11 knockouts. Eight of those victories came in the first round, showcasing his devastating power.
After the fight, Whyte praised his young opponent:
"This kid is special. He doesn't get nervous, he hits hard and he has a huge future."
Itauma himself seemed unfazed by the quick victory:
"I knew it was my exam and I passed it. It was time to take a step up."
The win puts Itauma in a strong position for bigger fights. His promoter, Francis Warren, believes he's ready for the top names in the division:
"I absolutely believe he can be world champion before the end of the year. We're well positioned in the rankings and I think he's ready for the big names, including Usyk."
Turki Alalshikh, the organizer of the Riyadh Season event where the fight took place, even hinted at a potential matchup between Itauma and current heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, calling it "The best against the future."
If Itauma manages to win a world title this year, he'll be close to breaking Mike Tyson's record as the youngest heavyweight champion. Tyson won his title at 20 years, 4 months, and 21 days old.
For Whyte, this loss follows his defeat to Tyson Fury in April 2022 for the World Boxing Council title. At 37, questions will arise about his future in the sport.
Itauma's rapid rise and devastating power have certainly caught the boxing world's attention. With his youth, skill, and growing list of impressive victories, he's quickly becoming one of the most exciting prospects in heavyweight boxing.
