Amid his stunning run through heavyweight talent, Moses Itauma has been backed to go down in the annals of British heavyweight boxing history.
Improving to 13-0 over the weekend, Moses Itauma won the Commonwealth heavyweight crown, adding to his WBA international WBO inter-continental titles.
Taking out former interim WBC heavyweight championship challenger, Dillian Whyte, Itauma stopped the Jamaican with a hellacious first round knockout in Riyadh.
And backed to potentially challenge undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in the future, it seems the Itauma steam train is running without brakes at the moment.
Furthermore, backed to take out the Ukrainian by Tyson Fury, Itauma has been promoted to surpass the best British heavyweight in the sport’s history as well.
David Haye claims Moses Itauma can surpass Lennox Lewis’ legacy
Immediately receiving links to a title fight with the undefeated Usyk in the aftermath of his knockout of Whyte, Slovak-born contender Itauma has somewhat played down that matchup already.
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But at just 20 years of age, Itauma has been backed by former cruiserweight icon David Haye to potentially surpass Lennox Lewis by the time his career comes to a close, as the best British heavyweight of all time.
“He’s (Itauma) got 10-15 years time to prove that,” Haye told BoxNation. “If anyone coming through can [surpass Lewis’ greatness] — no one has managed to do it since Lennox, but I think he could be that next guy.
“He’s got all the hallmarks of a future great,” Haye continued. “Not only a great British fighter, but also a great worldwide fighter.”
Oleksandr Usyk urged to retire before Moses Itauma’s rise
Yet to win world championship spoils in the ring, the unbeaten Itauma is fast on track to join the elites of the heavyweight limit with his win over Whyte.
But as far as veteran boxing coach Teddy Atlas is concerned, current kingpin Usyk would be wise to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to a fight with Itauma.
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So much so, Atlas believes Usyk should simply hang up his gloves before Itauma rises to his stature in the ring.
“I’m not saying that. I won’t go against Usyk with anybody; he’s that special,” Atlas said on his YouTube channel. “But I think at this point in his career, after Usyk gets through his next fight, let him go off into the sunset.”