The global boxing scene was thrown into a frenzy over the weekend following a bold declaration by World Boxing Organisation (WBO) President Gustavo Olivieri, who officially named rising British-Nigerian sensation Moses Itauma as the new number one contender in the heavyweight division. The surprise announcement was made late Saturday night, just hours after Itauma delivered a crushing second-round knockout against American fighter Mike Balogun in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 20-year-old southpaw, widely hailed as one of the most promising talents in the sport, successfully defended his WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title for the third consecutive time, taking his professional record to a flawless 12 wins with no losses, including 10 knockouts. Itauma, who hails from Chatham and boasts deep Nigerian roots, once again demonstrated the lethal combination of precision, power, and ring IQ that earned him the title of The Ring Magazine’s Prospect of the Year for 2024.
Olivieri took to social media shortly after the emphatic win, praising the young pugilist’s meteoric rise in the sport. “Moses has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances,” Olivieri posted. “Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching. It’s only a matter of time before he gets his shot & the world sees a new star emerge. #NewEra.”
The move has not gone unnoticed, or unchallenged. Itauma’s sudden leap to the top of the WBO rankings has sparked heated discussions among boxing enthusiasts and pundits alike, many of whom question whether his current résumé warrants such an esteemed position ahead of more seasoned and tested heavyweights. Some have accused the governing body of fast-tracking the British-Nigerian in what they view as a politically driven decision.
Nonetheless, the WBO president remained confident in Itauma’s readiness, even hinting at a future clash with reigning unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk, who recently made history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in over two decades, is expected to defend his titles in a rematch against Daniel Dubois, Itauma’s promotional stablemate, on July 19 at Wembley Stadium.
Saturday’s dominant showing was Itauma’s first appearance in the ring since a five-month layoff, a period during which he claims to have been avoided by higher-ranked fighters unwilling to risk their status against a dangerous and fast-rising contender. Facing Balogun, a former NFL linebacker turned heavyweight brawler, Itauma wasted little time establishing his authority, dropping the American twice in the opening round with his trademark left hands. The end came swiftly in the second round with a sharp right hook that left Balogun unable to continue.
Itauma’s performance sent a clear message to the rest of the division: he’s not just a promising prospect, but a legitimate threat to the heavyweight elite. Whether or not his rapid ascent is justified, what remains certain is that the heavyweight scene has gained a new and formidable player whose time at the summit may come sooner than many expected.