Slovak-born Brit Moses Itauma wasted no time reminding the heavyweight division why he’s considered one of its brightest rising stars, stopping American veteran Mike Balogun within the second spherical to retain his WBA Worldwide heavyweight title Saturday evening at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow.
Itauma, simply 20 years previous, showcased poise, energy, and precision past his years, delivering a brutal proper hook to Balogun’s chin that ended the bout at simply 46 seconds into the second spherical. Referee John Latham had seen sufficient, calling a halt to the competition after two prior knockdowns—one within the opening body and one other moments earlier than the ultimate blow.
The writing was on the wall early. In spherical one, Itauma floored Balogun with a pointy left hook that despatched the American to the canvas for the primary rely of the evening. Balogun bravely beat the rely and managed to make it via the spherical, however the injury had been achieved.
Within the second, Itauma picked his photographs with surgical precision. A punishing mixture despatched Balogun to a knee, clearly rattled. Though the American tried to rally and swing his approach again into the battle, he left himself large open after throwing a lead left—and Itauma made him pay. A thudding counter proper detonated clear, leaving Balogun sprawled on the canvas. The referee didn’t trouble with a rely—this one was over.
With the emphatic TKO win, Itauma improves to 12-0 with 10 knockouts and continues to construct momentum as some of the harmful younger forces within the heavyweight ranks. Presently ranked No. 3 amongst challengers to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, Itauma’s star continues to rise.
This bout marked his first protection of the WBA Worldwide title, which he claimed final December in Riyadh with a dominant efficiency over Australia’s Demsey McKean.
