Tyson Fury has named the one fighter he’d rather not face (Image: Getty)
It’s not often backs down from a fight, but there’s one name he has no interest stepping into the ring with. The self-styled ‘Gypsy King’ has taken on all challengers to his throne thus far, but rising prospect Moses Itauma is one foe he’d rather not face.
And one can hardly blame superstar Fury for dodging this dynamo in particular given the speed at which he’s soaring through the heavyweight division. Itauma, 19, made his professional debut in January 2023 but has already stitched together a perfect 10-0 record.
Eight of those victories have come via knockout, including the last six in succession. Four of those ended in the first round, with Itauma most recently stopping former unified challenger Mariusz Wach in May.
Some boxers might profess themselves as being open to any fight at any time. But Fury knows better having had a close-up look at Itauma, especially as his career end date moves within sight.
“No, definitely not!” Fury told TNT Sports when asked if he’d consider facing Itauma in one of his farewell fights. “Do you think I’m stupid? No, no no…”
The comment correlates with Fury’s previous praise of his fellow pugilist, whom he has tipped for a big future. After a sparring session with the teenager in July, the Gypsy King dubbed Itauma “the future of the heavyweight division.”
Moses Itauma has his eyes on the world heavyweight titles (Image: Getty)
Itauma’s finishing power has even seen him compared to a certain boxing icon, earning the moniker of ‘Britain’s ‘. And the youngster has set his sights high, telling he aims to break Iron Mike’s record as the youngest heavyweight champion, having clinched his first belt at 20 years and four months old.
After calling it an “honour and privilege” to train with Fury, Itauma told the former champ was “very Marmite in sparring.” He added: “Some days he’d do good but in some he’d been unbelievable.”
Fury was on hand at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday to watch cousin Walter Fury beat Dale Arrowsmith and move to 2-0 at super welterweight. The Gypsy King was scheduled to meet Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch this month, but the second showdown was moved back to December.
It’s unlikely the 36-year-old will be looking past that date in regards to planning his future, with Fury desperate to settle the score after losing his WBC title to Usyk in May. Revenge over the Ukrainian would make Fury the undisputed king of the heavyweight division, but he has his work cut out for him handing Usyk his first career defeat.