This weekend, 21-year-old undefeated heavyweight Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) kicks off DAZN’s boxing slate when he puts his undefeated record to the test against the experienced veteran Jermaine Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs). Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena is in for a show when Itauma’s tenacity meets Franklin’s durability starting at 1p.m. ET / 10a.m. PT, live on DAZN.

The heavyweight brawl highlights The Magnificent 7 fight card featuring six additional can’t-miss fights, including Liam Davies (17-1, 8 KOs) vs. Francesco Grandelli (21-4-2, 6 KOs) for the vacant European featherweight title.

Next weekend, all eyes turn to London on April 4 when heavyweight sensations Deontay Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) and Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) duke it out inside the O2 live on DAZN PPV. The longtime friends have assured fans there will be no love lost in the ring next Saturday when Chisora tries to send the two-time former heavyweight Wilder into an early retirement in the 100th fight for both brawlers. 

All bouts will air across the world on DAZN and can be viewed with a DAZN subscription, which grants viewers access to over 185 fights worldwide and can be purchased at THIS LINK. 

Please click HERE to sign up for DAZN Media Center — your one-stop hub for assets across DAZN Boxing including upcoming pay-per-view events, subscription fights and our archive library.

UPCOMING EVENTS ON DAZN

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Itauma vs. Franklin

Manchester Co-Op | Manchester, England

WATCH HERE

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Wilder vs. Chisora

The O2 | London, England 

WATCH THE FIGHT HERE

NEWS AND SOCIAL

• DEEP WATERS: A taste of retirement
• I’m bringing WAR on April 4th.
• Derek Chisora & Deontay Wilder look back at their most iconic moments | Run The Tape
• These are Derek Chisora’s top 5 moments shared on social media 
• Del Boy has a whack on him! 
• The Bronze Bomber is BACK  
• Fight Week won’t disappoint 
• Deontay Wilder…. what makes him so powerful?
• We are only 9 days out 
• 98% KO rate 
• Two icons. One final statement. 

Dubai, UAE, Wednesday 15 October 2025 – The eyes of the sporting world will be fixed firmly on the luxurious city of Dubai as the IBA and Epic Sports & Entertainment deliver an historic night of boxing, headlined by the WBA Heavyweight World Title clash between Kubrat Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) and Murat Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs) at the stacked IBA Pro 13 card.

Slated for Friday, 12 December 2025, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium will host a defining moment for boxing, as two seasoned titans battle for the WBA Heavyweight Title, a belt immortalised by icons such as Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

Despite reports linking Pulev to a bout with rising star Moses Itauma next, the groundbreaking partnership between IBA and Epic Sports & Entertainment will now see the 20-year old prodigy forced to wait for his opportunity to capture Heavyweight Championship gold – with a bout against the winner of the December 12 showpiece event mooted for the heavyweight wünderkind.

Ivaylo Gotzev, CEO of Epic Sports & Entertainment, confirmed the bout between Pulev and Gassiev – and also suggested Itauma could feature on the show’s undercard: 

“The Pulev vs Gassiev fight is signed, sealed, and confirmed – so [Moses] Itauma will have to wait his turn,” said Gotzev. 

“We have an official WBA resolution authorising Kubrat Pulev’s first title defense to be a voluntary, and in line with that, we’ve locked in a terrific opponent in Murat Gassiev for December 12th in Dubai.

“We understand young Itauma is chomping at the bit, and as a professional courtesy I’ve spoken directly with his promoter, George Warren of Queensberry Promotions, to offer him a slot on the undercard. That would set the perfect stage for him to face the winner of the main event. This keeps everything aligned with the WBA’s directive and ensures fans get a stacked world-class heavyweight spectacle in Dubai.”

Al Siesta, CEO of IBA Pro, spoke of his excitement at the announcement of the championship contest, while also laying down the gauntlet for Itauma to square off against the winner:

“We are absolutely delighted to finally announce this fight: a tremendous bout for the WBA Heavyweight Title,” said Siesta.

“Moses Itauma is an incredible talent and I have nothing but admiration for the work Queensberry Promotions have done with him, but make no mistake, Murat Gassiev is coming to knock Kubrat Pulev out on December 12 – and then Itauma is next. 

“We hope he accepts our offer to fight on the undercard, so he can witness, up close, Murat becoming Russia’s first heavyweight champion since 2013. Then, in 2026, it would be our great pleasure to derail the Itauma hype train… he is still young, so he can come again!”

Kubrat Pulev, the Bulgarian “Cobra,” enters as the reigning WBA Heavyweight Champion, having captured the title with a commanding unanimous decision over Mahmoud Charr in Sofia, Bulgaria, in March 2024. 

Boasting a record of 32-3 and 14 KOs and entering the bout on a three-fight win streak, the 44-year-old veteran combines a stellar amateur pedigree with an established professional ledger, having shared the ring with modern giants Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua. Known for his thudding jab, advanced ring IQ and granite chin, Pulev’s technical style and 6’4” frame make him a threat for anyone in the division.

“It’s been a long and challenging wait, but I’m thrilled to finally defend my world title,” said WBA Heavyweight Champion Kubrat Pulev. 

“I respect Murat Gassiev – he is a powerful and dangerous opponent – but I am ready, focused, and eager to give fans a great fight. I’m grateful to the IBA and Epic Sports for making this happen and can’t wait to step back into the ring.”

Russian power-puncher Murat Gassiev brings a fearsome 32-2 record with 25 KOs, boasting a knockout rate over 78%. A former unified IBF and WBA cruiserweight champion, “Iron” rose to prominence in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series in 2018 with a series of dazzling knockouts, including his demolition of Cuban danger-man Yuniel Dorticos and Polish war-horse Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

Since moving to heavyweight in 2019, the 32-year-old has racked up a host of eye-catching stoppage wins; including a fifth-round KO of Kem Ljungquist in 2024 and a TKO over Jeremiah Milton recently in August. A brutal body-puncher with dynamite in both fists, the 6’3” wrecking ball now has his sights set on becoming the first Russian heavyweight champion since Alexander Povetkin, who held the same WBA title between 2011 and 2013.

“Kubrat Pulev is a tough, experienced opponent, but I am built for this moment,” said WBA Heavyweight Title challenger Murat Gassiev.

“I believe I have the power to knock out any heavyweight on the planet – so I will be bringing the heat to Dubai. It will be an historic night for me and I will be extremely proud to bring the WBA title back home to Russia.”

“It is my intention to show everybody the absolute best version of Murat Gassiev and put the boxing world on notice once again.”

The bout pits Pulev’s technical ability against Gassiev’s raw power in a classic “boxer vs. puncher” match-up. With Pulev’s ram-rod jab and educated footwork squaring off against Gassiev’s heavy-handed aggression, fans will be treated to a tactical war with explosive knockout potential.

Umar Kremlev, President of International Boxing Association (IBA), said: “Pulev vs. Gassiev is a fight for the history books – a clash of skill, power, and heart. Dubai is the perfect stage to showcase this battle for the WBA title, and with Epic Sports, we’re delivering a night that will inspire the world and elevate boxing’s legacy.”

The heavyweight division in 2025 is fascinatingly poised, with a long list of hungry contenders vying for Ukrainian icon Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed championship. The winner of Pulev vs Gassiev will solidify themselves as a major player in boxing’s blue ribbon division, with a host of tantalising match-ups against the likes of Moses Itauma, Anthony Joshua and the returning Tyson Fury in the offing for the victor of December 12’s showdown.

Announcements on the undercard and the schedule for the world championships will be made in the coming weeks.

IBA Pro 13 will be promoted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) and Epic Sports & Entertainment, with support from the Dubai Sports Council.

Returning from Moses Itauma’s demolition of Dillian Whyte last week in Riyadh, DAZN, the world’s leading sports and entertainment platform, isn’t resting this weekend as summer inches towards the close with three cards from Most Valuable Promotions and Queensberry Promotions featuring multiple high-level prospects and title fights.

Kicking the action off with Most Valuable Prospects 14 on Friday, August 22, at 8 p.m. ET, Puerto Rico’s undefeated featherweight up-and-comer Jan Paul Rivera (12-0, 6 KOs) will take on Miami’s Daniel Bailey (15-2, 8 KOs) inside the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fla.

Saturday, August 23, will start off across the pond at 2:30 p.m. ET with a thrilling show from Queensberry Promotions headlined by the undefeated Jack Rafferty (26-0, 17 KOs) defending his British and Commonwealth Super Lightweight titles against former IBF European, WBA Intercontinental and WBC Silver Lightweight titleholder Mark Chamberlain (17-1, 12 KOs) from Planet Ice in Altrincham, England.  

DAZN will close out the weekend, returning to Orlando that evening at 8 p.m. ET for MVP Fight Night featuring Yankiel Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs) battling Angelino Cordova (19-0-1, 12 KOs) for the interim WBA Flyweight Championship in the main event. Also on the card, Yoenis Tellez (10-0, 7 KOs) will defend his WBA interim super welterweight title against Abass Baraou (16-1, 9 KOs) along with two women’s world championship bouts, with Stephanie Han (10-0, 3 KOs) putting up her WBA Lightweight title up against Paulina Angel (7-1-2, 3 KOs) and Tampa’s own WBA Flyweight Champion Jasmine Artiga (13-0-1, 6 KOs) clashing with Linn Sandstrom (10-3-3, 2 KOs).

Check out the below for the latest news and content from DAZN. 

NEWS & SOCIAL

• Rafferty-Chamberlain: Meet the two Olympic medallists in action on the undercard
• 1 DAY out from MVP Prospects 14…Every fighter in one room…what could go wrong 38 fighters under one roof all week for back to back fight nights this Friday and Saturday. 
• IT’S FIGHT WEEK  British & Commonwealth titles on the line  
• RAFFERTY  CHAMBERLAIN  TWO. DAYS. OUT 
• 10 KO’s in 11 fights, Jack Turner promises another showreel moment 
• Jack Rafferty has won SIX fights in a row by stoppage  A look back at last time out 
• Nelson Birchall wants all the smoke  #RaffertyChamberlain
• ???? ? ???? ????? ??????!  #RiveraBailey x #RiveraCordova | Aug. 22 & 23 | Live on DAZN
• 3  DAYS Jahmal Harvey makes his PRO DEBUT in 3 days…HIS SPEED IS UNREAL

The WBO Intercontinental, WBA International & vacant Commonwealth Heavyweight Championships – 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Moses Itauma: 245.5 lbs
Dillian Whyte: 244.5 lbs
 
The WBA Featherweight World Championship – 12 x 3 Minute Rounds
Nick Ball: 126 lbs
Sam Goodman: 125.1 lbs
 
Super-Featherweight Contest – 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Hayato Tsutsumi: 131.9 lbs
Qais Ashfaq: 131.9 lbs
 
The WBO International & vacant WBA Continental Gold Heavyweight Championships – 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Filip Hrgovic: 241.9 lbs
David Adeleye: 240.5 lbs
 
Super-Featherweight Contest – 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Raymond Ford: 130.3 lbs
Abraham Nova: 129.1 lbs
 
Lightweight Contest – 6 x 3 Minute Rounds
Mohammed Alakel: 132 lbs
Yumnam Santosh Singh: 132.6 lbs
 

Ekow Essuman scored the biggest win of his career when he defeated former unified world champion Josh Taylor via 12-round unanimous decision at the Ovo Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

In round seven, Taylor was cut over his left eye from a headbutt. Essuman dominated by winning most of the rounds in the seconds half of the fight.

Essuman, 146.4 lbs of Nottingham, ENG won by scores of 116-112, 116-113 and 115-113 to raise his record to 22-1. Taylot, 146.8 lbs of Prestonpans, SCO is 19-3,

Nathaniel Collins remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Lee McGregor in a 12-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Collins dropped McGregor with an uppercut on the inside. Seconds later, Collins landed a perfect straight left that put a hurt McGregor down. Collins ended the fight when he landed a left to the body that put McGregor down and the fight was stopped by the referee simultaneously as the towel being thrown in at 1:45.

Collins, 1256 lbs of Bearsden, SCO is 17-0 with eight knockouts. McGregor, 125.9 lbs of Edinburgh, SCO is 15-2-1.

Star in the making, Moses Itauma continued his rapid ascent up the heavyweight latter with a second round stoppage over Mike Balogun in a 10-round bout.

In round one, Itauma dropped Balogun with an overhand left to the side of the head. Early in round two, it was a right hook that put Balogun on his back. Seconds later, Balogun charged in and Balogun took a small step back and cracked Balogun with another right hook that sent Balogun down face first and the fight was over at 46 seconds.

Itauma, 254 lbs of Chatham, ENG is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Balogun, 241 lbs of Upper Marlboro, MD is 24-2.

Reese Lynch made a successful pro debut with a second round stoppage of Jonatas de Oliveira in a four-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Lynch landed a perfect left to the body that sent de Oliverira down and he did beat the count just as the bell sounded to end the round. The official time was 3:07.

Lynch, 140.6 lbs of Fauldhouse, SCO is 1-0 with one knockout. de Oliverira, 140.1 lbs of Brazil is 6-27.

Aloys Jr. stopped David Jamieson in round three of their 12-round cruiserweight bout.

In round one, Aloys landed a left to the body that was followed by a right to the top or the head that put Jamieson on the canvas for a knockdown. In round two, Aloys landed a jab that was followed by a hard right uppercut that put Jamieson down for a second time. In round three, Aloys landed a huge left hook to the chin that put Jamieson down on his back and the fight was stopped at 1:54.

Aloys Jr., 199 lbs of London is 10-1 with nine knockoiuts. Jamieson, 198 1/4 lbs of East Kildare, SCO is 13-4.

FUTURE HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSTAR Moses Itauma will have his fourth professional fight at the Telford International Centre on July 29, having been added to the card headlined by the four-title collision between Liam Davies and Jason Cunningham, live on BT Sport.

Itauma, just 18, who holds the lofty ambition of becoming the youngest ever world heavyweight champion, took part in his first six-rounder in mid-April, hearing the final bell for the first time at the conclusion of his comprehensive decision victory over the robust Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko, who maintained the distinction of never having been stopped.

Previously, the world and European champion as an amateur, marked his entry to the professional ranks with two first round stoppages over Marcel Bode and Ramon Ibarra respectively, that lasted less than a minute combined.

Itauma, who will be making a second trip to Telford, will be fighting over a six-round distance on the night.

FOUR MAJOR TITLES will be on the line when Liam Davies and Jason Cunningham collide at the Telford International Centre on Saturday 29th July, live on TNT Sports, the new name for BT Sport from 18th July.

The undefeated British, WBC International and European champion Davies (13-0, 5 KOs) takes on former Euro-king and now WBO International champion Cunningham (32-7, 7) in an all-British blockbuster in the atmospheric cauldron in the hometown of three-belt holder.

In supporting action is Northampton’s Eithan James (10-0), who will fight for his first pro title. While leading cruiserweight prospect Oronzo Birardi (6-0, 5) from Mainz in Germany will also be in action, with the 23-year-old featuring for a first time on a UK platform.

Worcester’s undefeated Midlands Area welterweight champion Owen Cooper (8-0, 2) will be in eight round action, along with Telford super lightweight Macaulay Owen (5-0,1) fighting over six, with Batley super lightweight Amaar Akbar (3-0) entering into his first six-rounder. Fighting over four rounds will be London heavyweight Boma Brown (1-0).

Tickets for the Telford blockbuster headlined by Liam Davies vs Jason Cunningham on Saturday, 29^th July at the Telford International Centre are on sale now from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Zhielei Zhang won the WBO Interim Heavyweight title with a sixth round stoppage over previously undefeated Joe Joyce at The Copper Box Arena in London.

Zhang landed some heavy blows in rounds one and two. In round two, Zhang landed a hard straight left that buckled Joyce and bloodied his nose. In round three, the right eye of Joyce began to shut. By round five, the eye was shut. In round five, Zhang began to bleed from the nose. Zhang continued to land hard shots that worsened to the point that made the referee at 1:34 of round six.

Zhang, 278 lbs of China is 25-1-1 with 20 knockouts. Joyce, 256 lbs of London is 14-1.

Zhang said, “Today belongs to me. It belongs to everyone who showed up. It belongs to every Chinese person who showed up today.

“I’m 39 years old. But I’m disciplined. I train hard. The next step is for me to fight for a world title.”

Joyce said, “I’m just disappointed with my performance. The [left] hand kept hitting me, and I couldn’t get out of the way. So, respect to Zhilei Zhang. It was a good fight, but I think I could have done better.

“I haven’t fought a southpaw for so long. Credit to him because he’s a good fighter. I gave it my all, and I think I can do better. It’s just disappointing. I expected to win like I normally do.”

Mikaela Mayer moved up in weight and took a 10-round unanimous decision over very last minute replacement Lucy Wildheart to win the WBC Interim Lightweight Title.

In the final round, Wildheart was bleeding from her nose.

Mayer landed 296 of 592 punches. Wildheart was 131 of 462.

Mayer, 134.5 lbs of Colorado Springs, CO won by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 98-91 and is now 18-1. Wildheart, 134 lbs of Brentoowd, ENG took the fight 24 hours ago after Christina Linatradou had a medical issue. Wildheart is 10-2

Mayer said, “She stepped in at the last minute, so that was really gutsy of her. It’s definitely a big fight for her to just jump in at 24 hours’ notice. But she was tough and durable. I see why she had the confidence to do that, so props to her.
 
“I like to fight on the inside, so once I knew that she couldn’t outbox me, I decided to take it to her a little bit and try to break her down to the body.
 
“I do believe that Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are supposed to go for their rematch, so assuming that still happens, I will challenge the winner of that. So, it’s definitely really exciting for me. This is where I belong. I belong in big fights. I belong in world title fights. I’m in my prime. I feel great, and I want the toughest challenges possible, and right now at 135, that’s Katie Taylor.”

Moses Itauma went the distance for the first time in his life won a six-round decision over Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko .

The score was60-5 for Itauma, 247 lbs of Chatham, ENG is 3-0. Dovbyschenko of Ukraine is 9-13-1.

Heavy-handed Sam Noakes remained completely perfect by stopping Karthik Shartish Kumar 12-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Noakes dropped Kumar with a flush right to the head, Noakes continued with hard shots, and another right made Kumar’s glove touch the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 1:17.

Noakes, 134 1/2 lbs of Kent, ENG is 11-0 with 11 knockouts. Kumar, 134 1/2 lbs of India is 10-1.

WORLD YOUTH HEAVYWEIGHT champion Moses Itauma formally announced his professional debut today when he met the media ahead of his big night on 28 January at the OVO Arena, Wembley on the undercard of the unified world light heavyweight title showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde.

Photos from today’s press conference can be downloaded here.
Images are free to use, please credit: Queensberry

Ituma, just turned 18, was confirmed as Queensberry’s future heavyweight force with the signing of a long-term promotional agreement in the wake of his World Championship triumph in November.

The younger brother of elite light heavyweight prospect Karol also won gold at the Schools, Juniors and Youth Europeans. Moses is a two-time National champion, a Multi-Nation BoxCup winner and was unbeaten in 24 fights as an amateur.

He will now see action for the first time in the professional ranks on the same card as his unbeaten sibling, who will fight for his first title on the show.

“It has been our dream since we were young so it will definitely be special,” said Itauma on the Wembley family affair. “It will be the best time of my life, really, me and my brother boxing on the same show. Especially with it being in London, which isn’t too far from where we live.”

“I came off Covid and not having any fights at all, to having the most fights I have ever had and now signing here makes it even better.

“I want to have around eight fights this year. I want to become the youngest ever world heavyweight champion and beat Mike Tyson’s record of 20 years, four months and 22 days.

“I’ve sparred with Lawrence Okolie, Joe Joyce, Anthony Joshua and everyone on the British scene. More often than not I have held my own.

“I am very confident in my ability and now I just want to see the difference between the pros and the amateurs. I want to be part of history and, when boxing is done for me, I want to be up there amongst the biggest names.

“The record is something I am chasing down, but I won’t be beating Mike Tyson’s record if I don’t win my pro debut.”

Tickets to see Moses Itauma make his pro debut on the undercard of Beterbiev vs Yarde are priced from £50 and are available from AXS.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk.

Sitting alongside his younger brother at the BT Sport studios was the former Olympic Youth champion Karol, who will bid to win a first title in the professional ranks when he goes up against Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna from Argentina for the WBC International light heavyweight title at the OVO Arena, Wembley on January 28.

The classy 22-year-old will hit double figures as a pro in North West London, having built up a perfect 9-0 record to date, with seven of the wins coming via stoppage. He fought four times across 2022 and two of his fights took place on Tyson Fury undercards at Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Maderna, 28-10 (18 KOs), has kept good company in the ring over the course of his 14-year professional career. He is a four-time winner of the Argentinean super middleweight title and he made an unsuccessful challenge for the IBO world title in 2013, losing on points to Thomas Oosthuizen.

The now 36-year-old subsequently won the WBC Latino title in 2013 before taking on and suffering a fourth round stoppage against a then 9-0 Artur Beterbiev in Montreal in mid-2016.

In the same year he won the WBC Latino belt at light heavyweight by defeating Walter Gabriel
Sequeira before returning to super middle and making an unsuccessful challenge for the WBA Continental title in Moscow against Fedor Chudinov.

“Like I have said all along, my coach does all the homework and I just try and implement things in the ring,” said Itauma of the man standing in the way of his first title triumph. “He has mentioned that he is experienced but that is what it takes to progress and move up the ladder.

“I need this kind of fight. I wouldn’t say the title has made much difference to me in preparations because the prize is just a bonus and, if anything, a cherry on top. The fight is like any other fight in that you go in there to come out victorious. The title is a little extra thing and sometimes you can think about it too much, which can bring pressure, so there is no point in thinking about it like that.

“I am excited for it though and, obviously, I am going to be there with my brother. It is crazy because during our whole amateur boxing career we never boxed on the same night. So to be able to share a night together where it is his debut and my first title fight is very special.

“It was an emotional roller coaster watching him win his world championship out in Spain, so I can’t bear to think what it will be like watching him as a pro. I know what he is capable of though and it is all in his hands.

“He is going to make statements and shock the world.”

Tickets to see Moses Itauma make his pro debut and Karol Itauma fight for his first pro title on the undercard of Beterbiev vs Yarde are priced from £50 and are available from AXS.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk.

FRANK WARREN AND Queensberry are delighted to announce the signing of World Youth and European Heavyweight champion Moses Itauma to a long-term promotional agreement.

The highly rated Chatham-based heavy turned 18 on Thursday and joins his older brother, Olympic Youth champion Karol, in the Queensberry ranks and fighting on BT Sport.

Itauma won gold at the Schools, Juniors and Youth Europeans and his World gold came recently in November over in Spain. He is a two-time National champion, a Multi-Nation BoxCup winner and unbeaten in 24 fights as an amateur, with only one of them being a split-decision verdict at the age of 11.

Represented by CSM, the management group recently founded by Francis Warren, he now joins fellow heavyweights Tyson Fury, Joe Joyce, Daniel Dubois, David Adeleye and Boma Brown in sporting Queensberry colours.

“It is exciting for me because Frank Warren has been on the circuit for many years and is the man for the job,” said Itauma on teaming up with a Hall of Fame promoter. “It is going to be good and it is exciting times.

“For me now it is about stepping up quickly, really. I never really took up boxing to win world titles, I literally just kept going to the gym because we were like a little family at St Mary’s ABC. It was just good fun and then I started winning National titles.

“About two years ago I felt the amateur game wasn’t really for me and I started to grow out of it. I don’t think I’m special but I realised I was good at boxing probably when I started sparring Lawrence Okolie when I was 14-15 years old and was holding my own.

“I was then sparring Joe Joyce, Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua and was still holding my own, if not getting the better of it. When I was sparring Joyce and Okolie I was coming in wearing my school uniform having come straight from school and was yawning.”

Frank Warren, meanwhile, believes he is about to unleash a major force on the heavyweight scene.

“The booming British heavyweight division has now got a new player and this one is going right to the very top,” said the promoter. “For very obvious reasons, Moses was a young man in demand and I am thrilled that he has chosen Queensberry to guide and promote his career.

“We are the ones with a proven track record of taking young fighters to major title success and Moses is going to be in good company with our other elite prospects already taking steps forward in the professional ranks.

“Moses is an exceptional talent who is going to further light up the heavyweight scene in this country and globally.

“Moses possesses the ability to be a heavyweight great and I am sure the nation will get behind him and support his crusade to become a record-breaking world champion.”

Francis Warren of Champion Sports Management, added: “The future of heavyweight boxing is in safe hands with Moses, who is destined to become a world champion and dominate the scene for many years to come. That is the bold plan he himself has set out and it is up to us to deliver on it outside of the ring.

“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Moses to the management company I have formed to take care of the interests of the growing band of young and hugely talented fighters I am privileged to represent.”

Moses Itauma’s professional debut will be announced at a press conference on Thursday 5^th January.

Images are free to use, please credit Queensberry Promotions where possible.