Not since Mike Tyson started thundering towards his prime has boxing witnessed such ominous power punching from a novice.
Saturday night’s demolition of dear old Dillian Whyte in Riyadh begs the question as to when – not if – Moses Itauma will win a world heavyweight title.
Iron Mike began his reign of terror by felling bigger American brothers like trees.
Holy Moses, the new kid on the chopping block is English. Albeit by way of immigration to Chatham from Slovakia when he was four years of age.
If today’s prize-fighters boxed as frequently at their predecessors Itauma might well have broken Tyson’s record as the youngest heavyweight champion of them all.
As it is now, he looks destined to strap on one of those glitzy alpha-belts when just 21.
Moses Itauma demolished the ‘Body Snatcher’ Dillian Whyte in Riyadh on Saturday evening
The victory saw Itauma move one step closer to a heavyweight title fight
The start of Itauma’s career is somewhat reminiscent to that of the legendary Mike Tyson
This latest sojourn in the desert is by no means the first time he has despatched an opponent in less than two rounds. The 13th victory on his unbeaten record followed knock outs that rapid in ten of the previous 12 fights. As for Whyte, he was gone in 119 seconds. While he was unscrambling his senses all the talk turned to who should be next on Itauma’s deadly dance card.
His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, whose investment of hundreds of millions of Saudi Arabia’s oil dollars is revolutionising big-time boxing, was quick to propose undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Wiser counsellors mention New Zealand’s rejuvenated former world champion Joseph Parker and Germany’s own undefeated knock-out artist Agit Kabayel, who Itauma generously declared deserving of their shots at the title ‘before I take over.’ And why not? Daniel Dubois, despite being knocked out twice by Usyk, is young enough to come back and still carries the dynamite punch which destroyed Anthony Joshua. He and Itauma would be a case of who lands first wins.
As for Usyk himself, at 38 he believes he has two fights left in him following his destruction of Daniel Dubois. Ukraine’s grandmaster of the Noble Art could offer Parker a chance before cashing out with a nine-figure bonanza against YouTube and now Netflix cult sensation Jake Paul. Potentially that would set up Itauma to fight for the vacant title late next summer.
Whoever gets the nod will surely offer sterner resistance than Whyte. The self-styled Body Snatcher was clutching at straws while being mown down. The pre-fight wisdom perceived his only chance to be taking Itauma into the later rounds he is yet to experience. A curious prediction since he is 18 years older than his young tormentor.
When weighing in at his lightest for 10 years, Whyte pronounced himself fitter than ever after training like a dervish. He might as well have spared himself those stern rigours in camp and simply turned up to take his punishment and his reported three and a half million dollars reward. He hardly threw a punch and did not land one as Itauma pummelled him from the first – and only – bell.
A combination of range-finders set him up for the left hook which turned Whyte’s legs to jelly, followed by the southpaw right which dropped him to his knees. Game as old pros are, Whyte stumbled to his feet but as he slumped back against the ropes the referee saved him from losing too many of his marbles.
For the Body Snatcher, retirement calls. For Holy Moses a golden future beckons as the heavyweight era of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and most importantly Oleksandr Usyk nears its end and he stands ready to usher in the next generation.
