Is Moses Itauma Boxing's Next Big Thing?

Is Moses Itauma Boxing's Next Big Thing?

There is something exciting happening in heavyweight boxing right now.

A new generation of fighters is beginning to emerge, and one name is becoming harder and harder to ignore: Moses Itauma.

At just 21 years old, the unbeaten British heavyweight has already built a professional record of 14 wins from 14 fights, including 12 knockouts. But his record isn't the only reason people are talking about him. Itauma has developed a reputation for speed, power and an aggressive style that has made many boxing fans wonder just how far he can go.

Now, he faces the biggest test of his career.

On 29 August 2026, Itauma will meet Filip Hrgović at The O2 in London for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title. A victory would make Itauma the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history, behind the legendary Mike Tyson.

But is Moses Itauma really the next big thing in boxing?

That's what makes his story so interesting.

For experienced boxing fans, Itauma could be a future world champion and potentially one of the sport's biggest stars. For beginners, however, his rise gives us something else: an opportunity to look at a young boxer at the beginning of what could become a remarkable career and ask what can we actually learn from him?

In this Pro Series guide, we'll look at who Moses Itauma is, why the boxing world is so excited about him, how his career has developed so quickly, and the boxing qualities that make him one of the most interesting young heavyweights to watch.

Who Is Moses Itauma?

Moses Itauma is a British heavyweight boxer who is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young fighters in boxing.

Born on 28 December 2004 in Kežmarok, Slovakia, Itauma moved to England with his family as a child and eventually settled in Chatham, Kent. His route into boxing began at just nine years old, when his older brother Karol introduced him to the sport. Boxing didn't immediately stick, however. After a few tough sessions, Itauma temporarily swapped the gym for football before eventually returning to boxing after deciding football wasn't for him.

That decision turned out to be pretty important.

Itauma went on to build an unbeaten amateur career, collecting gold medals at Schools, Juniors, Youth European and Youth World level before making the move into professional boxing.

He made his professional debut in January 2023, stopping Marcel Bode in just 23 seconds.

Since then, his progress has been rapid.

Itauma won the WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title in 2024 and continued building his record with a series of stoppage victories. In 2025, he added the Commonwealth heavyweight title to his collection after stopping Dillian Whyte in the first round. Most recently, he stopped Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round in March 2026, taking his professional record to 14 wins from 14 fights, including 12 knockouts.

But perhaps the most interesting thing about Itauma isn't simply his record.

It's how quickly he has progressed.

At just 21, he is already being spoken about as a potential future heavyweight champion. That conversation now has a very real opportunity to become reality, because on 29 August 2026, Itauma will face Filip Hrgović at The O2 in London for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title.

If Itauma wins, he could become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history, behind Mike Tyson.

For a boxer who only made his professional debut in 2023, that's an extraordinary rate of progress.

And it's one of the reasons so many people are asking the same question:

Could Moses Itauma really be boxing's next big thing?

Why Is Moses Itauma Being Called Boxing's Next Big Thing?

So, what is it about Moses Itauma that has got boxing fans, trainers and former fighters talking?

It isn't just his knockout record.

Heavyweight boxing has always produced fighters with huge punching power, but Itauma appears to bring something else to the table: speed, movement and the ability to put his punches together quickly.

1. His Hand Speed Is Unusual for a Heavyweight

One of the first things you notice when watching Itauma is how quickly his punches arrive.

Heavyweights are often associated with big, powerful punches, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are slow. Itauma is a good example of this. His punches can come in fast combinations before his opponent has properly recovered from the first shot.

Former opponent Demsey McKean specifically described Itauma's speed as what caught him off guard, while other analysis of the young heavyweight has highlighted his ability to combine speed with accuracy and power.

For a beginner watching boxing, this is something worth paying attention to.

Speed isn't simply about throwing your hands as quickly as possible.

Good boxing speed also involves being able to see an opening, choose the right punch and get the punch back into position quickly enough to defend yourself.

That's one of the things that makes Itauma so exciting to watch.

2. He Has Serious Power

The other obvious part of Itauma's game is power.

His professional record currently stands at 14 wins, with 12 coming by knockout, giving him a knockout percentage of around 86%.

But power isn't necessarily about being the strongest person in the gym.

A powerful punch comes from a combination of things working together — your feet, balance, body rotation, timing, technique and the accuracy of the punch.

Watch Itauma closely and you'll see that his power is often connected to his speed and timing rather than simply swinging as hard as possible.

That's a valuable lesson for beginners:

Don't try to punch as hard as you can. Learn to punch correctly first.

Power tends to become much easier to develop when your technique improves.

3. He Doesn't Fight Like a Typical Heavyweight

Itauma is also interesting because of the way he moves.

He's a southpaw, meaning his left hand and left foot are positioned forward. For a beginner, this can look unusual if you're used to watching an orthodox boxer, but it gives Itauma a different set of angles and opportunities when attacking an opponent.

His movement allows him to get into range, attack and then reposition himself rather than simply standing directly in front of his opponent.

That movement is particularly impressive when you remember that Itauma is competing in the heavyweight division.

And this is another lesson beginners can take from watching professional boxing:

Boxing isn't just about your hands.

Your feet create the position from which your punches work.

4. His Punch Combinations Are Exciting

Another reason Itauma is becoming so popular is the variety of punches he can put together.

Instead of relying on one huge shot, he can build attacks using different punches and angles.

For someone learning boxing, this is particularly interesting because it demonstrates why combinations are so important.

A jab can create an opening.

A straight punch can take advantage of it.

A hook can attack from another angle.

And an uppercut can become dangerous when an opponent is protecting against punches coming from the outside.

You don't need to be a professional heavyweight to understand the principle.

One punch can create the opportunity for the next punch.

That's something beginners can start practising from their very first boxing sessions.

5. He's Still Learning

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Itauma story is that we still don't know how good he can become.

He's only 21.

His professional career is still relatively young, and although he has already produced impressive stoppage victories, he hasn't yet experienced everything boxing can throw at a heavyweight.

Can he handle a long, exhausting fight?

Can he take a clean shot from an elite heavyweight?

Can he adapt when an opponent changes tactics?

Can he stay calm when things don't go according to plan?

Those are questions that can only really be answered inside the ring.

And that's why his upcoming fight with Filip Hrgović is so important.

Itauma enters the fight unbeaten and with huge expectations around him, while Hrgović brings considerably more experience and his own ambitions of becoming world champion.

This is where the “next big thing” conversation gets serious.

Because potential is exciting.

But eventually, every young boxer has to prove that potential against someone capable of taking it away.

So, Is Moses Itauma Really Boxing's Next Big Thing?

It's too early to say for certain.

And that's exactly what makes his story so exciting.

Itauma has the age, amateur background, speed, power and unbeaten professional record that make people believe he could become a major heavyweight star. He is now approaching the point where those qualities need to be tested at the highest level.

If he continues developing, keeps beating increasingly difficult opponents and eventually defeats some of the biggest names in the division, the conversation could change from:

“Could Moses Itauma become a star?”

to:

“How far can Moses Itauma go?”

For now, that's a question worth watching.

Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgović: The Fight That Could Change Everything

Until recently, Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgović was already an important fight for the unbeaten British heavyweight.

Now, it is something much bigger.

On 29 August 2026, Itauma and Hrgović will meet at The O2 in London with the vacant IBF heavyweight world title on the line. The title became available after Oleksandr Usyk vacated it, giving both fighters an unexpected opportunity to become world champion.

For Itauma, this could be the fight that changes his career completely.

Why Is This Such a Big Test for Itauma?

Itauma enters the fight unbeaten at 14–0, with 12 knockouts, but Hrgović represents a significant step up in experience.

The Croatian heavyweight is 34 years old, has an Olympic bronze medal from the 2016 Games and has shared the ring with several experienced heavyweights. His professional record currently stands at 20 wins and one defeat, with 15 of those victories coming by knockout.

That makes this an interesting test for Itauma.

He has already shown that he can hurt opponents.

But can he deal with a heavyweight who has the experience, size and resilience to take his best shots and keep coming?

That's one of the biggest questions surrounding Itauma's career.

Itauma vs Hrgović: Youth vs Experience

One of the fascinating aspects of this fight is the contrast between the two boxers.

Moses Itauma

• 21 years old

• Unbeaten

• 14 professional wins

• 12 knockouts

• Rapidly rising heavyweight

• Southpaw

• Fighting for his first world title

Filip Hrgović

• 34 years old

• 20 professional wins

• 15 knockouts

• One professional defeat

• 2016 Olympic bronze medallist

• Considerably more professional experience

• Fighting for his first world title

It's a classic boxing question:

Can youth, speed and momentum overcome experience?

Or will Hrgović's experience show Itauma that there is another level to heavyweight boxing?

What Does Hrgović Bring?

It's important not to get carried away with the Itauma hype.

Hrgović isn't simply there to play the role of the opponent waiting for the next British superstar.

He has already beaten respected heavyweights including Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce, while his only professional defeat came against Daniel Dubois in 2024. He has since returned with three victories.

And Hrgović has made it clear that he believes his experience can cause problems for Itauma.

He has suggested that Itauma has yet to experience the kind of difficult fight that can test a young heavyweight's character and adaptability.

That is exactly what makes this fight so interesting.

Beginner Takeaway

Don't judge a boxer only by their knockout record.

A boxer can look unbeatable while everything is going their way.

The real test comes when something doesn't go according to plan.

Does the boxer stay calm?

Can they change tactics?

Can they manage their energy?

Can they defend when they're tired?

Can they keep thinking clearly when they're under pressure?

These are some of the things that separate a promising boxer from a complete boxer.

And Itauma is about to face one of the biggest tests of his young career.

What Happens If Itauma Wins?

A victory would be enormous.

Not only would Itauma become a heavyweight world champion at just 21, but he could become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history, behind Mike Tyson.

The road beyond that could become extremely interesting.

Frank Sanchez, the IBF's No. 1 contender, has been guaranteed a fight with the winner of Itauma vs Hrgović. Beyond that, a potential major British heavyweight fight could emerge in 2027, with Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley among the names being discussed depending on how the division develops.

So this isn't simply a fight that could give Itauma a belt.

It could open the door to the biggest fights of his career.

What If Itauma Loses?

This is where we need to remember just how young he is.

A defeat would obviously be a setback, but it wouldn't suddenly mean that Itauma wasn't a future star.

He's only 21.

One of the biggest mistakes we can make when watching young fighters is expecting them to be the finished product immediately.

Boxing is a learning process.

A young fighter can lose, learn from it and come back a better boxer.

That's another reason why the Itauma story is worth following.

We're not just watching a finished champion.

We're watching a boxer develop.

And that's perhaps the most exciting part of all.

DBT VERDICT SO FAR: Moses Itauma doesn't need to beat Filip Hrgović to prove that he has potential.But beating Hrgović could change the conversation around him completely.Instead of asking “Could Moses Itauma become a star?”, boxing fans could soon be asking “How far can this young heavyweight go?”

What Could Be Next for Moses Itauma?

This is where the Moses Itauma story gets particularly interesting.

At the time of writing, Itauma is only 21 years old and is preparing for the biggest fight of his professional career.

But what happens after that?

Could 2027 be the year that Moses Itauma goes from exciting young prospect to one of boxing's biggest names?

Nobody can know for certain.

But there are several reasons why 2027 could become a huge year for the young heavyweight.

First Comes Hrgović

Before thinking too far ahead, Itauma has a very important job to do.

On 29 August 2026, he faces Filip Hrgović for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title.

If Itauma wins, he won't simply add another victory to his unbeaten record.

He'll become a world heavyweight champion at just 21 years old.

That would immediately change the way the boxing world talks about him.

Instead of being a young fighter with enormous potential, he would become a world champion with the opportunity to defend his title and establish himself among the heavyweight division's elite.

Then Come the Big Names?

The heavyweight division is one of the most exciting places in boxing because the biggest fights can completely change a fighter's profile.

A world title would put Itauma in a very different position.

He would potentially find himself sharing the division with established names and other ambitious young heavyweights.

There is already discussion around future British heavyweight match-ups, including potential fights involving Daniel Dubois and other leading names in the division. (reuters.com)

And that is where things could become very interesting for 2027.

Could Itauma Become Boxing's Next Superstar?

This is the question we started with.

And if we're making a prediction, yes — I think Moses Itauma has a genuine chance.

But there's an important difference between having the potential to become a superstar and actually becoming one.

To reach that level, Itauma will need to keep winning against increasingly difficult opponents.

He'll need to show that he can deal with different styles.

He'll need to prove that his speed and power work against the very best heavyweights.

And he'll need to stay healthy, keep developing and handle the pressure that comes with becoming a world champion.

That's a lot to ask of a 21-year-old.

But that's also what makes his story so exciting.

Our 2027 Prediction

If Itauma defeats Hrgović and continues developing at anything close to his current rate, 2027 could be the year his profile explodes.

He has many of the ingredients boxing needs for a future superstar:

Youth.

Power.

Speed.

An unbeaten record.

A world-title opportunity.

And a heavyweight division full of huge fights.

But there's one final ingredient that cannot be predicted:

How good can he actually become?

We won't know that until he faces the very best.

And that's why, rather than saying Moses Itauma will be boxing's next superstar, we're making a slightly more cautious prediction:

Moses Itauma could be one of the most important heavyweight boxers to watch in 2027.

And if he continues to win, that prediction could start looking very conservative.

DBT PRO SERIES PREDICTION2026: Moses Itauma — exciting young heavyweight with huge potential.2027: Moses Itauma — our pick for one of boxing's potential breakout stars.The question: Can he turn potential into greatness?We'll be watching.

Our Verdict: Is Moses Itauma Boxing's Next Big Thing?

So, is Moses Itauma boxing's next big thing?

We think he could be.

At just 21, Itauma has already built an unbeaten professional record, developed a reputation for speed and power, and earned himself a shot at the IBF heavyweight world title.

But potential isn't the same as greatness.

The next stage of his career will tell us much more.

His fight with Filip Hrgović is a huge test, and if Itauma can continue beating increasingly difficult opponents, there's every reason to believe he could become one of the heavyweight division's biggest stars.

Our prediction?

Moses Itauma is one of the boxers we're watching most closely heading into 2027.

Whether he becomes a future heavyweight superstar remains to be seen.

And that's the exciting part.

We're not watching the finished story. We're watching it being written.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moses Itauma

Who is Moses Itauma?

Moses Itauma is a British heavyweight boxer and one of the most highly regarded young fighters in professional boxing. He turned professional in 2023 after an unbeaten amateur career and has quickly risen through the heavyweight division.

How old is Moses Itauma?

Moses Itauma was born on 28 December 2004, making him 21 years old in 2026.

What is Moses Itauma's boxing record?

At the time of writing, Moses Itauma has a professional record of 14 wins and 0 losses, with 12 of his victories coming by knockout.

Is Moses Itauma a heavyweight?

Yes. Moses Itauma competes in the heavyweight division and is currently one of the most exciting young heavyweight boxers in the sport.

Is Moses Itauma a southpaw?

Yes. Itauma boxes from a southpaw stance, meaning his left hand and left foot are positioned forward.

Who is Moses Itauma fighting next?

Moses Itauma is scheduled to face Filip Hrgović on 29 August 2026 at The O2 in London, with the vacant IBF heavyweight world title on the line.

Could Moses Itauma become heavyweight world champion?

He has already earned an opportunity to become one. If he defeats Filip Hrgović, Itauma would become the IBF heavyweight world champion and could potentially become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history, behind Mike Tyson.

*Last updated: August 2026

Inspired by Moses Itauma? Start Learning Boxing

Watching professional boxing can be inspiring — but you don't need to be a professional boxer to start learning the sport yourself.

If Moses Itauma's speed, combinations and movement have made you want to learn more about boxing, start with the fundamentals.

The DBT Beginner Boxing Academy is designed to take beginners through boxing step by step, from your stance and guard through to punches, combinations, movement and defence.

You don't need to know everything before you start.

You just need to start with the basics, practise them consistently and build from there.

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