The heavyweight boxing world is on the brink of a seismic shift, and one name is on everyone’s lips: Moses Itauma. Touted as the future king of the division, this 21-year-old phenom has been unstoppable, racking up a 13-0 record with 11 knockouts—including a jaw-dropping two-minute demolition of former world title challenger Dillian Whyte. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Itauma, backed by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, seems destined for greatness, Eddie Hearn is quietly plotting to challenge his dominance. Hearn, the mastermind behind Matchroom Boxing, isn’t just sitting back—he’s grooming two heavyweights he believes can dethrone the 'exceptional' Itauma in the coming years.
Itauma’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. With world titles looming and a changing of the guard expected within 24 months, he’s the undisputed face of the new generation. Yet, his path isn’t without hurdles. An injury recently postponed his bout against Jermaine Franklin, but when he steps back into the ring next month, all eyes will be on him to continue his dominance. But here’s the part most people miss: while Itauma is the frontrunner, the heavyweight division is bubbling with talent. Richard Torrez, under Top Rank, is making waves overseas, and Hearn is determined to ensure Matchroom remains a heavyweight powerhouse—even after the era of Anthony Joshua.
In a recent interview with IFL TV, Hearn revealed his strategy: two fighters he believes can ‘rock with’ Itauma in the future. The first is Teremoana Teremoana, a 9-0 Australian knockout artist with charisma to spare. With nine early finishes and Matchroom’s backing, Teremoana is poised to become a fan favorite. He’s already talked up a potential mega-fight with Itauma, and with Matchroom’s strong presence in Australia, his rise seems inevitable. Hearn predicts Teremoana could challenge Itauma within 6 to 12 months—a timeline that’s both ambitious and thrilling.
The second fighter is Leo Atang, a 19-year-old Yorkshireman drawing comparisons to a young AJ. At 4-0, Atang is still raw but brimming with potential. Fresh off a third-round win last month, he’s set to return on February 21 as part of the Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington undercard. While Atang is significantly behind Itauma in experience, Hearn sees him as a long-term threat. ‘We need more time,’ Hearn admits. ‘If Leo fights for the world heavyweight championship, it’ll likely be against Moses.’ But here’s the kicker: Hearn acknowledges the unpredictability of boxing. ‘You need a lot of luck along the way,’ he says, hinting at the sport’s inherent chaos.
What’s undeniable is that these three fighters—Itauma, Teremoana, and Atang—signal a bright future for the heavyweight division, even as legends like Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Joshua eventually retire. But here’s the question that’ll spark debate: Can Hearn’s protégés truly dethrone the seemingly unstoppable Itauma? Or will the ‘exceptional’ talent prove too much to handle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
