Moses Itauma Sets His Sights on Joseph Parker: The 19-Year-Old Phenom’s Bold Pursuit of Boxing History
In the realm of heavyweight boxing, a new name is making waves, one that carries both the weight of ambition and the promise of greatness. Moses Itauma, the 19-year-old prodigy born in Slovakia, is eyeing a fight that could define his career and potentially rewrite boxing history. With an unrelenting drive to become the youngest heavyweight champion of the world, Itauma has made it clear that he wants to take on none other than Joseph Parker, the current Interim WBO heavyweight champion.
The comparison to Mike Tyson is inevitable. Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion at the age of 20 in 1986, set a bar that has seemed insurmountable for nearly four decades. But Itauma, who turned 19 on December 18 last year, has until May 26, 2025, to make his mark and eclipse Tyson’s record. The clock is ticking, and Itauma knows it.
Frank Warren, Itauma’s promoter, recently revealed the young fighter’s ambitions during an interview with talkSport. “Moses has his eyes set on Joseph Parker,” Warren stated, underscoring the gravity of the challenge Itauma is ready to embrace. “He’s got a fabulous jab, and that’s what really impressed me in his last fight. He’s a teenager, but he fights with the composure of a seasoned veteran.”
“He’s got a fabulous jab and that’s what I was really impressed with in his last fight,” Warren said.
Itauma’s latest victory, a second-round stoppage against the durable Mariusz Wach, showcased his raw power and technical prowess. It was a performance that caught the attention of many in the boxing world, including Warren, who couldn’t help but praise Itauma’s skills. “He handled business against a real seasoned tough guy,” Warren noted, emphasizing the significance of the win. “Many expected Wach to take him a few rounds, but Moses had other plans.”
Highlighting how well the 19-year-old handled business “against a real seasoned tough guy,” Warren said, “His next fight – the one he’s told me he wants is Joseph Parker.” Warren revealed in his conversation with the young boxer, Itauma told him “I really, really fancy that fight.”
Warren believes becoming a world champion is a real possibility for the 19-year-old, “If he keeps doing what he’s doing.” However, Warren emphasized that it’s his and Itauma’s manager’s job to “temper that and pick the right fights at the right time.”
View this post on Instagram
The idea of a fight against Parker isn’t just a fleeting thought for Itauma; it’s a calculated move. During his conversation with Warren, Itauma made his intentions clear: “I really, really fancy that fight,” he told his promoter. It’s a bold statement from a young fighter, but one that aligns with his dream of becoming a world champion before he turns 20.
However, Warren, ever the strategist, is cautious about rushing Itauma into the spotlight too quickly. “Becoming a world champion is within reach if he keeps doing what he’s doing,” Warren acknowledged. But he also stressed the importance of patience and careful matchmaking. “It’s our job to temper that and pick the right fights at the right time,” Warren explained. The excitement is palpable, but the path to the top is fraught with challenges, and Warren knows the importance of pacing Itauma’s rise.
Even if the Parker fight doesn’t materialize, Itauma has a backup plan. In July 2024, following his impressive win over Wach, Itauma shared a hitlist of potential opponents on the George Groves Boxing Club podcast. The list included names like Tom Schwarz, Tony Yoka, Demsey McKean, Guido Vianello, and Simon Kean—fighters who are all recognized for their skill and stature in the heavyweight division. “They are all like big, high names,” Itauma said, expressing his desire to step up the competition level in his September return to the ring.
They are all like big, high names,” Itauma stated.
But as the boxing world knows all too well, desiring to break records and actually doing it are two very different things. The legacy of Mike Tyson looms large, and the pressure to perform is immense. Itauma’s journey is one of immense potential, but also of high stakes. Every punch he throws, every opponent he faces, brings him one step closer—or one step further—from the dream that has consumed him since he first laced up his gloves.
As the days count down to May 2025, all eyes will be on Moses Itauma. Will he rise to the occasion and carve his name into the annals of boxing history? Or will the weight of expectation prove too much for the young fighter to bear? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Itauma’s story is far from over, and the next chapter promises to be nothing short of electrifying.
