Mike Tyson, one of the most championed boxers alive, with a record of 50-7, holds more than just the admiration of boxing fans, more than his feared reputation, he holds the record for being the youngest heavyweight world champion ever, after defeating Trevor Berbick in the second round aged just 20 years and 4 months. However, this record has recently come under threat as a new prospect, Moses Itauma, continues to impress as he climbs the rankings. Could Itauma break Tyson’s world record? Perhaps, and here’s how he might do it.
How Moses Itauma Could Break Mike Tyson’s Record
Itauma is coming off a dominant display against Demsey McKean, in which he stopped the Aussie in the very first round, knocking him to the canvas before closing the show with a brutal knockout.
Itauma now sits at 11-0, with 9 stoppage wins, recently stopping the durable Mariusz Wach in only two rounds. The Brit, trained under Ben Davison, turned 20 on the 28th of December, and has now 4 months to win a world title if he is to beat Mike Tyson’s record.
For many, this seems very unlikely, and would mean rushing Itauma’s progress, perhaps to his detriment. For others, Itauma, who has never tasted defeat in the amateurs or pros, is more than ready to take on some of the top fighters in the division.
Here are three potential routes to the title:
1. Kubrat Pulev
Perhaps one of the more likely options, and less dangerous, Kubrat Pulev recently defeated Mahmoud Charr to win the WBA Regular title, at the age of 43. Though not a complete world title, Itauma holding the Regular belt would still technically make him a world champion, even if the title is not as respectable. Additionally, this fight poses little risk to Itauma compared to the other options, as Pulev is aging and potentially looking to retire soon anyway.
2. Justis Huni
With Daniel Dubois set to defend his IBF title against Joseph Parker in February, Parker’s WBO interim world title will be stripped and made vacant. As a result of various title eliminators, the two available fighters to challenge for the interim title are Moses Itauma and Justis Huni. This of course will be only for the interim title, with the full title unavailable until Oleksandr Usyk vacates the belts. Huni holds a record of 11-0.
3. Daniel Dubois / Joseph Parker
Though highly unlikely, it’s possible that Frank Warren sets up an in-house world championship fight for Itauma against the winner of Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker. Warren may see Itauma as the future of the heavyweight division, and think it a worthwhile risk to throw him in at the deep-end in order to beat Mike Tyson’s record. Dubois and Parker will face off in February for the IBF title, and may be ready to fight again a few months after that. This route, however, clearly cuts it very fine for breaking Mike Tyson’s record, and poses the highest amount of risk.
It is currently unclear which route Itauma aims to take, if any, though in his face off with Demsey McKean, McKean mentioned how he suspected Itauma was gunning for the WBO route, to which Itauma said ‘How do you know that?’. Perhaps Itauma vs Huni may be a likely next option for the 20-year old phenom.
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