Promoter Eddie Hearn says he doesn’t think Moses Itauma will ever be able to compete with the kind of popularity Anthony Joshua has enjoyed during his 13-year professional career. Hearn notes that Itauma, 20, lacks “the energy to light up a room.”
Itauma has a sleepy way of talking, weighing every word carefully. He doesn’t stand out the way AJ did, and doesn’t resemble a top heavyweight physically.
The Charisma Gap
“I don’t see anyone ever competing on the level of AJ. Not in terms of ability, but just draw. We’ve never seen it before. But don’t forget, AJ won the Olympic gold in London [in 2012]. It’s a hell of a start,” said Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn to talkSport Boxing when asked if Moses Itauma can become a big star like Anthony Joshua has been.
Itauma’s fighting style is not as exciting to watch as Joshua’s was early in his career, when he was jumping on his opponents and burying them with flurries of speedy power shots. In comparison, Itauma throws single shots and darts away when attacked.
Moses depends on his single punch power to score knockouts. His job has been made easier by his promoters at Queensberry, matching him with a steady flow of 40-ish journeymen.
With competition like Dillian Whyte, 37, Mariusz Wach, 45, and Mike Bologun, 41, it hasn’t taken much for Itauma to bring them down with his single-shot musket fire. Itauma has fought the same way since he was an amateur, and he’s shown no sign of changing in his short two-year career.
To become more of a draw, Itauma needs to mimic Joshua’s early style, but that would take a more warrior, war-like mindset of someone on the frontlines, willing to risk it all.
Can Sleepy Energy Sell Fights?
“Moses may not have the same energy to light up a room just yet, but he’s 20 years old,” said Hearn.
“I don’t agree with you. I think he’s got it all,” said Gareth A. Davies.
It’s hilarious how Gareth asks Hearn his opinion on Itauma, then tells him he disagrees with him when his view doesn’t coincide with his own. Why ask Hearn in the first place?
What Hearn says makes sense. Itauma lacks the same charisma that Joshua has shown during his 13-year professional career. Some fans have noted that listening to Itauma talk makes them sleepy, as he doesn’t show much energy or say things that keep one interested in the conversation. He’s better when he’s fighting or standing alongside his promoters, Francis and Frank Warren, letting them do the talking for him.
“I’m going to stay with it and say within the first half of the fight. I’m not trying to smack up Anthony Joshua by saying that,” said Gareth to Pro Boxing Fans, picking heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma to obliterate Anthony Joshua within six rounds if they were to fight.
The Aaron Pryor Blueprint
Joshua is still dangerous with his size, power, and hand speed. If he followed the blueprint created by fighters in the amateurs, who had success against Itauma, he could win. He would need to fight like the former light welterweight world champion, Aaron Pryor, to have a chance of beating Itauma.
The fighters who had success against Moses in the amateurs, Stylianos Roulias and Oleksandr Zelenskyi, attacked him relentlessly using a Pryor style, forcing him to lose his form. What those large heavyweights showed is that Itauma isn’t comfortable when he’s being pressured nonstop. He can’t load up on his shots as well, looks ragged and desperate at times.
“Anthony Joshua is capable of knocking out Moses Itauma as well. Daniel Dubois is capable of knocking out Moses Itauma, but he’s capable of knocking them out as well. I just got a feeling about him that he’s very special,” said Gareth about Itauma.
Last Updated on 08/23/2025
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