Mohammed Bahaa
Promising young heavyweight boxer Moses Itauma proved not only too young and too fast for Mariusz Wach on Saturday night, but also too smart and strong for the experienced 44-year-old Polish boxer. At just 19 years old, Itauma displayed prodigious talent, overwhelming Wach with his technical proficiency and strategic acumen.
Right from the start of the bout, Itauma displayed perfect timing and distance control. In the second round, he landed a powerful blow that sent Wach to the mat. Itauma's subsequent attacks were a calm, precise onslaught that highlighted his aggressive yet tactical style. Combining head movement with well-timed combinations, Itauma seized the opportunity to gain the upper hand. Wach, with a career record of 38-11 (20 of his losses were by knockout), was no match for Itauma's skilled performance.
“I swear, I went back to my corner and told Ben [Davison, his coach]”I said, 'I think I went a little too fast,' and he said, 'Yeah, you're right, but in the second round, pick better strikes and slow down the tempo a little,'” Itauma told Queensberry in the dressing room after the fight. “And I hurt him and I thought, 'Oh my God, this is boxing.' It's not about tempo. It's about quality, not quantity.”
Itauma is gradually becoming accustomed to the spotlight and expectations placed on him as a future star in the boxing world. Far from cowering under the pressure, Itauma seems to thrive and embrace his growing status. “I'm becoming more and more passionate about boxing,” he explained. “When I first left boxing, I felt like I had to do it, but now I really want to do it. Ben and I have spoken a lot about it. He says, 'You have to love boxing. You have to love it,' and I think deep down I love boxing too.”
Itauma is looking for a new opponent who can provide him with a tougher fight – someone who can overpower him competitively as well as physically. Jonny Fischer has emerged as the leading candidate, but promotional constraints make a match between Itauma and Fischer unlikely. Frank Warren has expressed interest in pairing Itauma with Olympic bronze medallist Fraser Clarke, but Clarke is busy with his rivalry with British champion Fabio Wardley following a thrilling draw in March.
If Itauma is to fulfil his ambition of becoming the youngest ever heavyweight champion, he may consider a fight with American Jermaine Franklin. This would be a bold move. With a 23-2 record and proven performances against top fighters such as Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua, Franklin would be a formidable opponent for the young phenom Itauma.
Regardless of who he faces next, the excitement surrounding Itauma's career is palpable, as he boldly declares, “Go with King Kong. It's a step up. I'll go back to the team and we'll figure something out.” His determination to move up the ranks is clear, and the boxing world is eagerly awaiting his next move.
