Boxing
Humble Itauma blown away by fan support as he climbs heavyweight ladder
Zayas vs. Ennis: Watch only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Moses Itauma admits he is blown away by the support he receives whenever he steps in the ring.
The heavyweight sensation, 21, will move a step closer to a world title shot if he takes care of business against Filip Hrgovic on August 29.
And with a packed house expected at London’s O2 Arena, Itauma is still getting used to being the centre of attention.
In an exclusive interview with DAZN News, he said: “I appreciate all the fans that come and support me or watch from home. I never would have thought people would care enough to watch me fight.
“I wasn't born in the UK. I don't have a personality like Tyson Fury and I'm not articulate like Anthony Joshua. I just try to be myself.”
Itauma was only three when his family moved from Slovakia to England and settled in Chatham, Kent.
Fast forward to today and the undefeated rising star is back in camp preparing to lock horns with Hrgovic, who has lost just once in 21 bouts.
As any boxer will tell you, training for a fight is a gruelling process — but just how much does it take out of Itauma?
“Too much,” he revealed. “Spiritually, emotionally, time-consuming, financially… but I like it. It's a lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle.
“I wouldn't say I'm confident but I wouldn't say it's something I'm scared of. It's just like, ‘Yeah, let's start camp’.
“I've been boxing for so long that it's second nature. By the time you get to the ring, it should already be drilled into you, you know?
“Come fight night, your coach's instructions shouldn't be telling you the game plan. It should be telling you how to tweak it for the opposition you have.”
The man standing in his way has just one blemish on his record, which came at the hands of Daniel Dubois.
But that defeat two years ago was the result of the ringside doctor stepping in to halt the action due to cuts above Hrgovic’s eyes.
Itauma added: “He was beating Dubois before he got stopped and he only got stopped because of a cut.
“So can you really say he's lost? He’s got a loss on his record [but it’s not really a defeat].
“It's the toughest fight of my career yet, so hopefully I just overcome it.”
With 12 stoppages from 14 victories, Itauma has been tipped to dominate boxing’s blue riband division for years to come.
In the land of giants a defeat can be just one punch away — but that does not phase the popular southpaw.
He said: “I don't think about that [losing]. It doesn’t even cross my mind.”
Humble and grounded, Itauma appears to have all the attributes required to make it to the top.
But with a 6ft 6in Croat blocking his path, he must remain laser-focused to ensure his meteoric rise continues.
Zayas vs. Ennis - watch only on DAZN
Xander Zayas defends his WBO and WBA super-welterweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on Saturday, June 27, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
