Moses Itauma Moves On From Tyson Record and Focuses on His Own Path

Young heavyweight admits chasing Tyson record was “naive” as he targets steady rise to the top

For Moses Itauma, the comparisons to Mike Tyson began almost the moment he laced up his gloves as a professional. The heavy hands, the knockout power, the quiet confidence – it all seemed to point toward a storybook rise mirroring that of “Iron Mike.” And with Itauma still a teenager when he turned pro, the buzz around whether he could break Tyson’s record as the youngest-ever heavyweight world champion – 20 years and four months – became a regular talking point.

But now that milestone has passed, with Itauma turning 20 years and five months this past weekend, the Chatham-born heavyweight has no illusions about the reality of modern boxing. “When I turned professional it was about chasing that record,” he admitted in an honest conversation on BBC’s 5 Live Boxing podcast with Steve Bunce. “Now that record is off the books, I’m just trying to take my time with it.”

It’s the kind of clarity and maturity you don’t often see in fighters his age. While Tyson’s ferocious rise to the top of the heavyweight division in the 1980s is the stuff of legend, the boxing world Itauma has entered is a very different place. Titles are split across multiple organisations, promotional politics play a greater role than ever, and just getting the right fights at the right time has become a puzzle in itself.

“I was naive when I said that”

Looking back, Itauma doesn’t shy away from admitting that his initial ambitions were perhaps built more on youthful optimism than realistic planning. “In the first two months of me being professional, I realised that goal’s impossible,” he said. “I was naive when I said that. I said that before I turned professional. I didn’t realise how much you can’t control in this boxing game.”

And he makes a fair point. In just the short time he’s been a pro, the heavyweight landscape has been dominated by giants like Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois – all operating at the absolute peak of their powers. “There’s no way in two years I would have put myself in a position to fight them,” Itauma added.

While that reality might have dashed the dream of rewriting the history books, it’s also allowed Itauma to focus more clearly on his own development. After all, boxing isn’t just about chasing records. For many, it’s about crafting a career that lasts, evolving with each fight, and building toward a legacy that holds its own weight – even without a comparison to someone like Tyson.

12 and 0, and still just getting started

Impossible to break Tyson record

If there’s any disappointment in letting go of the Tyson chase, it hasn’t shown in Itauma’s performances. On Saturday night, the rising star produced arguably his most complete showing yet – a dominant two-round stoppage of American heavyweight Mike Balogun. It was a win that took his professional record to 12-0, with 10 of those victories coming via knockout.

There was a time when Balogun was seen as a real threat, boasting his own reputation as a dangerous puncher. But Itauma didn’t blink. The left hand was sharp, the footwork smooth, and the finish clinical. He looked like a fighter completely at ease with where he is in his journey, rather than someone scrambling to fast-track his way to the top.

Despite how his early career was marketed – with some seeing the Tyson record pursuit as more hype than substance – Itauma is quick to dismiss any notion that the storyline was cooked up just for headlines. “It wasn’t just a marketing strategy,” he insisted. “I genuinely believed it when I said it. I wanted it. But reality kicks in quickly in this sport.”

Big names on the horizon – but not just yet

That reality also includes managing expectations when it comes to his next opponents. Itauma’s name has already been linked with several more seasoned heavyweights – including Joe Joyce, Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin and Martin Bakole. But don’t expect a marquee match-up right away.

Itauma is likely to be back in the ring on the undercard of Daniel Dubois’ world title challenge against Oleksandr Usyk on July 19 at Wembley Stadium. It’s a huge platform, no doubt, but fans should temper their hopes of seeing him take on one of the division’s elite names just yet.

“I don’t think the next fight will be a big name,” Itauma said. “My team want me to get some 10-round fights under my belt before stepping up. There’s guys that are tough cookies that ain’t got a name. That’s not ideal – you want a tough guy with a good name, and they aren’t cheap.”

That’s the sweet spot every young contender tries to find: an opponent who can test them and raise their profile, without derailing their progress. But those kinds of fights don’t come easy, especially when you’re still building your name. In some ways, Itauma’s current position – caught between being a prospect and a contender – might be the most difficult stretch of his journey so far.

Keeping grounded, keeping focused

For all the noise around him, Itauma appears to have both feet firmly on the ground. There’s no rush in his voice, no desperate chase for validation. He knows he’s good. He knows he’s improving. And most importantly, he seems to know that the best version of Moses Itauma is still to come.

It’s a refreshing mindset in a sport where fighters are often pushed too hard too soon, expected to carry unrealistic hopes before they’ve had time to properly grow. By acknowledging the limits of what’s possible right now, Itauma might just be giving himself the best chance to fulfil his potential in the long run.

The Tyson comparisons will likely stick around for a while – that’s just the nature of boxing narratives. But make no mistake: Moses Itauma is carving out his own path. The destination might be the same – world championship gold – but the journey is very much his own.

And with every fight, every round, and every lesson learned, he’s getting closer.