In a sport where records are sacred and legends loom large, few aspirations dazzle quite like dethroning a record set by “Iron” Mike Tyson. Once hailed as the teenage prodigy destined to rewrite history, Moses Itauma’s early boxing journey was sculpted around one audacious ambition: to become the youngest heavyweight world champion in history. But as time ticked past Tyson’s historic age of 20 years and four months—the benchmark he set in 1986—the British-Samoan southpaw found himself staring down a reality more nuanced than fantasy.

“I was naive when I said that,” Itauma admitted candidly on BBC’s 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce. “When I turned professional it was about chasing that record. Now that record is off the books, I am just trying to take my time with it.”

It’s a refreshing dose of realism in a sport that often thrives on bravado. In just two years as a pro, Itauma has encountered the chaotic nature of boxing politics. “You don’t realise how much you can’t control in this boxing game,” he explained. Since his debut, world titles have changed hands among giants like Daniel Dubois, the masterful Oleksandr Usyk, and the reigning titan Tyson Fury. “There’s no way in two years I would have put myself in a position to fight them.“

Yet, while the dream of breaking Tyson’s record may have slipped through his gloves, the heavyweight sensation’s rise shows no signs of stalling. This past Saturday, Itauma extended his unbeaten run to 12–0, demolishing Mike Balogun in just two rounds. Ten of those twelve victories have come by knockout — a stat that whispers of menace and screams of promise.

And it’s not just pundits or fans buzzing about the 19-year-old’s fast ascent. Enter Carl Frampton—former two-weight world champion and now a respected boxing analyst—who recently heaped glowing praise on the youngster during an appearance with SecondsOut. “Fastest hands since Mike Tyson in terms of heavyweights,” Frampton declared. “But he moves better than Tyson I think. A little bit more fluid… he’s a superstar.” That’s no ordinary endorsement. Coming from someone who’s shared the ring with elite fighters and commentated ringside on countless world title clashes, Frampton’s words added fuel to an already roaring hype train.

While his promoter Frank Warren has confirmed he’ll feature on the undercard of Dubois’ monumental showdown with Usyk at Wembley Stadium on July 19, the prodigy isn’t expecting fireworks just yet. “There’s guys that are tough cookies that ain’t got a name. That’s not ideal,” he told Bunce. “You want a tough guy with a good name—and they aren’t cheap.“

Names like Martin Bakole, Jermaine Franklin, and Otto Wallin have been floated as potential dance partners. However, Itauma knows there’s wisdom in patience. His team wants him to gain ring experience—with plans for a few 10-round bouts before he steps into the shark tank of elite competition.

Whether or not the British-Samoan heavyweight ends up hoisting a world title, one thing is becoming crystal clear: Moses Itauma didn’t just arrive to chase history—he’s here to make his own.

One step from greatness, Moses Itauma eyes a world title after rising to WBO’s No.1 heavyweight contender

British heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma is inching ever closer to a coveted world title opportunity after being elevated to the number one spot in the latest World Boxing Organisation (WBO) rankings. The 20-year-old, now holding an unbeaten 12–0 (10 KOs) record, soared to the top following Justis Huni’s removal from the list. Huni, the Australian prospect previously ranked above Itauma, is now preparing for a separate challenge—an interim WBA title clash with Fabio Wardley in June. With Huni’s exit, Itauma’s path has been dramatically cleared, but not entirely paved.

The latest WBO rankings were pre-emptively confirmed by none other than the organization’s president, Gustavo Olivieri, who took to Twitter to celebrate the young Brit’s rise. “Moses Itauma has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances. Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching. It’s only a matter of time before he gets his shot and the world sees a new star emerge,” Olivieri proclaimed. The praise is not unfounded—Itauma’s most recent bout, a ferocious two-round demolition of American Mike Balogun on the undercard of Taylor vs. Essuman, saw him drop his opponent three times before the referee had seen enough.

Still, Olivieri was quick to temper the excitement, adding important context about Itauma’s current standing. “For the record: While Moses Itauma holds the WBO’s #1 world ranking in the heavyweight division, this alone does not confer mandatory status. That designation requires defeating top-rated contender(s). Joe Parker remains the official mandatory and retains priority, per WBO rules,” he clarified. In short, Itauma may be the frontrunner, but he’s not yet in pole position for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO belt.

Frank Warren, the veteran promoter overseeing Itauma’s career, is wasting no time lining up the right opponent to push his fighter into mandatory territory. Originally rumored to be circling a dangerous clash with Martin Bakole, both Warren and Itauma have now steered away from the Congolese slugger. Instead, eyes have turned to two credible threats: Otto Wallin and Jermaine Franklin. Wallin, known for giving Tyson Fury one of the toughest nights of his career, and Franklin, a 23-2 American with a solid resume, both offer significant risk and reward.

“I think Otto Wallin would be a great fight for him next,” Warren told BoxNation. “Otto’s proven himself to be a very durable, tough opponent, who garners respect from the boxing community because of the work he’s done against Tyson [Fury] and Anthony [Joshua]. For Moses – who wants to get rounds in – that’s probably a great shout. Jermaine Franklin’s another one that I particularly like the look of.”

As the division shifts and contenders jostle for position, Moses Itauma finds himself in a pivotal moment—no longer just a promising prospect, but a genuine title hopeful with the WBO’s golden spotlight shining squarely on him. Now, all that stands between the former teenage phenom and championship glory is a defining win over a top-tier rival.