Boxing
David Haye makes huge call on Moses Itauma's career ahead of Dillian Whyte showdown
Itauma vs Whyte - Saturday - only on DAZN PPV
David Haye believes Moses Itauma possesses all the qualities to eventually become a world champion as he prepares for the biggest test of his fledgling career on Saturday night.
The highly-rated 20-year-old faces Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia for the latest instalment of heavyweight classics under the Riyadh Season banner live on DAZN PPV.
Former cruiserweight and heavyweight title-holder Haye reckons Itauma has the talent to go on and realise his potential as one of the hottest prospects in world boxing.
DAZNThe Slovakia-born star, 20, has racked up 12 straight professional wins, including 10 by KO, as he prepares to face 37-year-old Whyte.
Haye is an admirer of Itauma and said he reminds him of himself during his highly distinguished career.
Haye told BoxNation: “We don’t know what Itauma’s punch resistance is like because he’s so skilful and has not given his opponents a chance test his chin.
“That’s exactly what you want from a young fighter – you don’t want him showing everyone ‘I’ve got a great chin’.
“If you take 100 clean right hands, it means your career isn’t going anywhere.
“He’s started his career in the ideal way and his style is to seek and destroy.
“I really enjoy watching him because it reminds me of my style and how I implemented my physical attributes to get victories over guys who were much more experienced.”
The 44-year-old compared Itauma’s career trajectory to his own, referencing a victory he enjoyed over Arthur Williams in May 2004.
“It was my ninth or tenth fight and that was a big step up but I took it very seriously,” remembered Haye.
“I paced myself and stuck with the gameplan – and I won that fight really easily.
“It justified me taking the step [in his next fight] against Carl Thompson at the time.”
Thompson, then 41 and 18 years Haye’s senior, beat his younger opponent, marking the first defeat of Haye’s career.
Again, Haye drew parallels with Itauma’s looming showdown with Whyte.
Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte | Press Conference Highlights
He explained: “The mindset I went into the Carl Thompson fight was different to how I went into the Arthur Williams fight.
“For some reason, I didn’t believe that Carl Thompson was going to be able to roll back the years.
“Itauma needs to treat the fight with Dillian as though it’s going to be the hardest fight of his life.
“As long as he goes into the fight without any hype, truly believing in himself and sticking to the gameplan, he should be okay.
“If he does stick to the gameplan then he has the firepower to knock anybody out.
“But can he handle the big pressure? I don’t know.
“I’d like to think he could because I think he’s got all the ingredients you need to become a world champion.”
Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN
Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte is live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday, August 16. Watch the PPV for free by purchasing a DAZN annual subscription (exc. US).
More information, pricing and to buy click here .
