Nigerian-born boxer Moses Itauma has revealed that his young age is a major factor that will eventually help him become world heavyweight champion in the not-too-distant future, Sports247 reports.
The 21-year-old British boxer of the year 2025 is also staying upbeat about his chances of making a return to relevance in the coming year, despite losing his first world title fight to Filip Hrgovic in August.
Itauma, who had won all 14 of his professional fights, 12 by stoppage, thereby establishing himself as one of the division’s most exciting young prospects, believes he will still win the illustrious world title because age is on his side.
“I’m 21. Of course, I’m going to have my opportunity again,” said Itauma, who initially led against 34-year-old Hrgovic, who won an Olympic Games bronze in 2016 and went into the bout with 20 wins, 15 victories inside the distance, plus only one defeat.
However, despite knocking his opponent to the canvas in the second round, Itauma could not sustain his high-octane tempo, as he gassed out and eventually crumbled like a pack of cards against the more experienced Hrgovic.
Afterwards, Hrgovic noted that Itauma is really good, special, very fast and talented, all of which revived confidence in the lad with a Nigerian father and mother from Slovakia, as he now sets his sights on a sensational comeback soon.
“It taught me a lot. I walked away from the fight knowing there was something I learnt there that I couldn’t get from sparring, reading books or what the coach would be able to tell me. What happened there I had to see for myself. I’ll be back.
“My identity as a boxer is still deeply rooted in me. A loss is not going to change that. I lost a boxing fight, that’s it. Even though I didn’t get the W, I’m proud of my performance for what I was, and I enjoyed it,” Itauma declared.
