Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers / Original photo from PunchNG.com
Warren Compares Moses Itauma to Messi and Tiger Woods Ahead of World Title Fight
The manager of unbeaten British-Nigerian heavyweight Moses Itauma, Francis Warren, has described his fighter as a once-in-a-generation talent, comparing him to sporting icons Lionel Messi and Tiger Woods.

Warren, son of Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren, said Itauma belongs to the rare group of exceptional athletes who only emerge occasionally.

Speaking on SunSport’s Corner Talk podcast, Warren revealed he first spotted Itauma when the boxer was just 14 years old. He was invited by boxing figure Al Smith to watch the teenager spar a British champion.
“He said, ‘Do you want to get yourself down here quickly? Come and have a look at this. This is quite special,’” Warren recalled.

“I did not expect him to be sparring, but he was sparring a British champion at the time, and he was only 14. You could see the feet, the feints, the head. It is like watching poetry in motion, even at that age.”
Warren later signed Itauma to a scholarship deal with Queensberry Promotions in 2023 when he turned professional at 18. Since then, the heavyweight has built a perfect record of 14 wins, 12 by knockout, earning comparisons to a prime Mike Tyson.

Itauma is set to face Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic on Saturday at London’s O2 Arena for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title. Warren believes Hrgovic is underestimating his opponent.
“Hrgovic is a dangerous, tough guy who thinks he is fighting a 21-year-old kid who has not been there and done it,” Warren said. “But he is running into somebody who I will brand as in the same vein as your Messis, your LeBrons, your Tiger Woodses. These phenomenal talents just come along every now and again. Moses is a potential generational great, even at 21.”
If Itauma wins, he will become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history, behind only Mike Tyson who won his first world title at age 20 in 1986.

Itauma has admitted the pre-fight talk is getting to him after Hrgovic repeatedly labeled him as inexperienced.
“I tell myself there is nothing that this Hrgovic guy can do to get in my head, but he is starting to wind me up,” Itauma said.
Source: Punch Newspapers –