Moses Itauma’s rapid ascent mirrors that of Mike Tyson – what are the similarities?

Four decades after Mike Tyson swiftly ascended to become the youngest world heavyweight champion at the age of 20, Moses Itauma is forging a similar path of dominance as he approaches a title opportunity.

Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs), 21, is set to compete against American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester, England, on Saturday, generating significant interest in a career trajectory that many anticipate will culminate with him emerging as the heavyweight division’s premier star.

Having stopped 11 of his 13 adversaries within two rounds, Itauma’s rapid rise through the heavyweight ranks draws parallels to Tyson’s early career, where he dispatched opponents with remarkable efficiency.

Rapid knockouts create excitement and draw attention from fans, attract television and streaming networks, and can hasten a world title shot, as is currently evident with Itauma.

However, are the comparisons to Tyson, who became a global icon and a feared champion in the 1980s, warranted?

Mike Tyson’s ascent to fame

By the time Tyson first contended for a world title just 20 months following his professional debut, he was already a well-known figure among sports enthusiasts globally, boasting a more substantial international presence than Itauma. Tyson’s bouts came with a knockout assurance, and viewers worldwide became invested in his journey even prior to his initial world title match.

After a challenging upbringing, Tyson, at 13, relocated from Brooklyn to Catskill, New York, to live with seasoned boxing trainer Cus D’Amato, who had previously guided Floyd Patterson to the world heavyweight championship in 1956. Under D’Amato’s skilled mentorship, Tyson honed a peek-a-boo boxing style characterized by a fierce attack and significant punching power.

When Tyson reached 15, D’Amato remarked: “I’ve discovered a kid who is going to succeed Floyd Patterson as the youngest heavyweight of all time. Remember the name. It’s Mike Tyson.”

Tyson turned professional at 18 in June 1985 and made an immediate impact, achieving 18 consecutive knockout victories within his debut year. Notably, 12 of those wins occurred in the opening round.

Tyson’s prolific knockout ability instilled fear throughout the heavyweight division in the mid-1980s. Nine months before he claimed the world championship, he defeated Jesse Ferguson in six rounds during the New Yorker’s national television (ABC) debut and chillingly commented on his finishing right uppercut: “I aim to catch him right on the tip of the nose because I try to drive the bone into the brain.”

Many opponents appeared defeated even before stepping into the ring against Tyson.

“When I walk to the ring and lock eyes with my opponent, I can see fear in his gaze,” Tyson stated at that time.

When Tyson achieved his 17th consecutive victory—a Round 5 knockout of Mike Jameson in January 1986—he surpassed Rocky Marciano’s record for inside-the-distance victories at the start of a career by world heavyweight champions (Tyson won his first 19 bouts by KO).

In less than two years as a professional, Tyson left Trevor Berbick staggering around the ring on unsteady legs in a stunning second-round TKO victory that crowned him WBC world heavyweight champion in November 1986.

“I was unleashing hydrogen bombs out there,” Tyson remarked, whose trainer D’Amato had passed away the previous year. “This is the moment I have been anticipating my entire life.”

Tyson was electrifying during this period, dominating the heavyweight division until 1990.

Angelo Dundee, trainer of Muhammad Ali, who had by then retired, commented: “That kid Tyson is dynamite. I simply couldn’t believe the speed of his punches; it was astonishing. He is destined to be a great champion. As good as Ali? Let’s wait and see, but it’s very possible; the potential at his age is immense.”

Still at 20, Tyson unified the titles by winning the WBA belt against James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith in March 1987 and became the undisputed champion with another points victory over Tony Tucker in August 1987.

Moses Itauma fights less, but is equally relentless

Boxers in the 1980s fought more frequently, making Tyson significantly more active than Itauma. Early in his professional career, Itauma aspired to surpass Tyson’s record as the youngest world heavyweight champion.

“In the initial two months of my professional journey, I realized that goal was unattainable; I was naïve to think that,” Itauma shared with the BBC last year.

Despite competing less frequently than Tyson, Itauma has nearly matched the American’s first-round victories. From his first 13 bouts, Itauma has stopped eight opponents in the first round, compared to Tyson’s nine wins in Round 1 from his initial 13 fights.

Physically, they differ. Tyson stood at 5-feet-11-½ inches, weighed 220 pounds, and delivered his hooks and uppercuts from a crouched, bobbing, and weaving stance. Alongside his punching power, Tyson also possessed remarkable hand speed early in his career.

At 6-foot-4, southpaw Itauma, who was born in Slovakia but moved to Kent, England, at the age of three, is taller and heavier (235 pounds) than Tyson and relies more on his jab and footwork to create openings.

However, like Tyson, Itauma is merciless when he inflicts damage on opponents with his quick hands, as his record demonstrates. He displayed impressive hand speed and knockout power when he overwhelmed Dillian Whyte in just 119 seconds in August. Itauma relentlessly attacked Whyte, who was ultimately floored by a right hook to the temple.

“I’m only 20 years old, so I have 10 or 15 years ahead of me,” Itauma stated after his swift victory over Whyte, who took former world champion Fury six rounds for the WBC world title in April 2022. “If I get the chance [to fight for a world title], I will 100% be [a champion].”

Itauma, who turned professional at 18 like Tyson, has demonstrated power in both hands. He knocked down Demsey McKean (December 2024) with a left hand in a first-round victory, and Mike Balogun (May 2025) was lifted off his feet by a right hook for a Round 2 TKO win.

To illustrate Itauma’s ruthlessness, current world heavyweight No. 1 Oleksander Usyk has not stopped any professional opponent within two rounds, while Fury has achieved six wins in the opening two rounds, most of which occurred early in his career.

Other boxers who were destructive on their way to becoming world heavyweight champions include:

• Rocky Marciano eliminated 11 of his first 15 opponents in the opening two rounds.

• Vitali Klitschko dealt with his first 10 professional opponents within two rounds in under a year; he won his first 27 pro fights by KO.

• Deontay Wilder stopped 13 of his first 15 professional opponents in two rounds.

• Anthony Joshua halted 12 of his first 15 professional opponents in just over two years.

Moses Itauma title shot on the horizon

In addition to potentially joining the ranks of the five youngest world heavyweight champions, Itauma could also rank highly among those who have secured a world title in the fewest fights. Joshua claimed his first world title a decade ago in his 16th professional fight, and Itauma is well-positioned to receive a title opportunity sooner.

Tyson Fury told ESPN: “I’ve been in camp with him for the last three years, so I understand what he’s capable of. I would like to see him [win] some titles; it’s fine to claim he’s going to be the next Muhammad Ali, but when he hasn’t won an English or British title or anything significant, it’s challenging to convince the world.”

“You must collect your belts along the way. I prefer to do it the traditional way, winning every belt on the journey and then striving to become a world champion, so don’t just jump into the fray because it might be premature, or it might not be. It would be a guessing game, but if you’re contending for titles along the way, you understand your progression.”

Fury previously cautioned that age is a consideration.

“Itauma will dismantle all those older fighters in the division: Usyk, AJ, Jarrell Miller,” he said. “Anyone who is aging. All these prominent names from the past are all past their prime. Even the current world champion [Usyk], Moses will take him out because it’s a young man versus an old man, and older fighters cannot compete with younger fighters.”

It appears likely that Itauma will secure a world title shot within the next 12 months, particularly if Usyk opts to vacate one of the belts as he did last year.

Itauma is ranked No. 1 in the WBA standings, behind WBA “regular” champion Murat Gassiev. He is also the No. 1 challenger for WBO champion Fabio Wardley, who was elevated to world champion after Usyk relinquished the title in November and defends the belt against Daniel Dubois on May 9. WBC, WBA, and IBF champion Usyk is scheduled to face Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt with the WBC title at stake. The WBA or WBO belts appear to be the most probable avenues for Itauma.

While Tyson generated more buzz and global attention as he surged toward world title success 40 years ago, Itauma’s crowning moment seems increasingly inevitable in his current form, much like it was for Tyson.