Photography by Sharif Hamza
Moses Itauma isn’t just another rising name in boxing’s heavyweight division — he’s the one many are already calling Britain’s next world champion. At just 20, he’s already amassed an amateur résumé that reads like a prophecy: youth Olympic gold, world titles, and now a blistering start to his professional career. But behind the knockouts and headlines is something more intriguing — a young man deeply committed not just to the craft of fighting, but to understanding himself through it.
In this conversation, CZ8 contributing editor Ryan Pickard, sits down with Moses to find out what really drives him. What does purpose mean to a man who already seems destined for greatness? How does he cope with pressure, expectation, and the brutal honesty of the ring? And why, even after all the success, does he still feel slightly out of place when he's not in the gym?
This isn’t a story about belts and bravado. It’s about discipline, discomfort, and the quiet mindset of a future champion who’s not chasing hype — he’s chasing legacy.
Let’s start from the beginning – how did boxing first come into your life?
It started at Green Egg Academy, the school I went to. There were a few boxers there – my brother was in a class with three of them, two of whom were national champions. He got interested and joined a gym because of them. When he won his first national title, he asked me, “Why aren’t you doing it?” I didn’t have much else going on, so I joined him – and here we are.
What was your first impression of boxing when you started?
I didn’t like it at first. I thought it was too hard. I kept throwing up after every session and ended up quitting for a couple of months. I played football for a bit with my brother Samuel, but got bored of chasing a ball around. Eventually, I came back to boxing.
What brought you back? What changed?
It was the community. People from all backgrounds and ages all trying to achieve something together. When you're struggling alongside your teammates, it pushes you. You're not just suffering for yourself, you're part of something. That made me want to be involved.
People talk a lot about your power, but there's also a lot of skill in your style. How would you describe the discipline and art of boxing?
In simple terms, amateur boxing is about hitting and not getting hit. Professional boxing is about knocking the other guy out before he knocks you out. The skills are different. In the amateurs, it's about points and sport. In the pros, it’s about durability, mindset, and the fight itself.
What do you think makes a true champion in the sport?
Commitment. Just turning up every day, even when you don’t feel like it. You don’t have to give 100 percent every session, but consistency is what gets you far.
Who inspired you in the sport growing up?
It was never just one fighter. I liked [Gennady] Golovkin, [Floyd] Mayweather, and Naseem Hamed. But I never said, “I want to be like him.” I always liked picking things from different fighters. Floyd once said he used to switch between styles like Hagler, Hearns, Tyson, and tried to mix them all into one. That stuck with me.
If you had to describe your own style, how would you explain it?
It’s a mix. Maybe influenced most by Naseem Hamed, but honestly, I don’t think there’s one thing I do better than everyone else. I feel like I’m well-rounded and do everything well.
Outside of boxing, has anyone inspired you personally?
50 Cent. I’ve read his book, listened to his podcast, and I think he’s full of knowledge. In Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter, he talks about evolving with the times. Even though he’s not rapping much anymore, he’s still writing for others and making money from music. That mindset of adapting stuck with me.
What drives you to keep going in boxing? Is it discipline or something deeper?
It’s discipline. I don’t always wake up excited to train. Sometimes I have to drag myself out of bed. But if I only trained when I felt like it, I wouldn’t be where I am. The tough sessions are the ones that count. I remind myself that quitting halfway through would mean all the work was for nothing. I don’t mind moving slowly, as long as I’m not wasting time.
You had a huge amateur career. At one point, it looked like the Olympics was next. Why did you turn pro instead?
I wanted to go to the Olympics at one point, but there’s no money in the amateur game. You can train for four years and miss out because of one bad decision or an injury. I know fighters who spent nine years on the GB team and didn’t make it. Then they turn pro in their thirties and have to rush everything. I didn’t want to take that risk.
What would you say is your greatest achievement in boxing so far?
Beating Dempsey McKean. He’s highly respected, and even though the fight itself was easy, everything I went through to get to that fight made it mean more. Winning the amateur Worlds was great, but honestly, it felt too easy at the time. The Dempsey fight meant more because of what it took to get there.
Do you have a clear goal in the sport? Is it about titles, money, legacy?
I’d love a world title, of course. I’ve got a good relationship with the WBO, but I’m not fixated on one belt. It’s not the belt itself, it’s what it represents. The work, the journey, the value behind it.
Is money a big motivator for you?
Not really. My brother and I were talking about this the other day. He said, even if I won the lottery, I’d still be sparring in the gym the next day. I love boxing. It just so happens that I’m in the heavyweight division, which is also the money division. If there wasn’t money in it, I wouldn’t be this committed, but I’d still be around the sport.
What is it that you love most about boxing?
I love being dedicated to the game. I feel like it’s my purpose. When I’m not training, I feel out of place. Even on holiday, I feel like I need to get back in the gym. I can't relax unless I know I'm working toward something.
What makes someone a winner in your eyes?
A winner is someone who achieves their goal. If your goal is to be a European champion and you do it, you’re a winner. If your goal was to be a world champion but you only got to European level, then you didn’t hit your goal. But that can change. As long as you keep pushing and eventually get there, you’re a winner.
Do you have any fears when it comes to boxing?
Yeah, I’d never want to be knocked out in front of all my friends and family. That would be embarrassing. I’d say that fear of humiliation does push me a bit.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself, or a young fighter just starting out?
Stay curious and stay disciplined. A lot of people think they have to stay loyal to one coach or one gym just because that’s where they started. But go out and explore. Ask questions. See what else is out there. Never stop learning.
Finally, is there a deeper meaning to this? A legacy you're trying to build?
Maybe a little, but I wouldn’t overthink it. I don’t see some deep meaning behind everything. If I’m not boxing, I don’t know what else I’d be doing. I just know this is where I’m meant to be.
