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British sensation Moses Itauma, 19, produces BRUTAL second ...

British sensation Moses Itauma 19 produces BRUTAL second
The 19-year-old has previously expressed his desires to become the youngest world champion in boxing history and made another step towards doing that in Saudi Arabia.

By James Cohen

Published: 19:40 BST, 18 May 2024 | Updated: 21:39 BST, 18 May 2024

British teenage sensation Moses Itauma produced a stunning second round knockout to defeat Iija Mezencev on Saturday night. 

The 19-year-old has previously expressed his desires to become the youngest world champion in boxing history and made another step towards doing that in Saudi Arabia.

Itauma made his intentions clear from the first bell as he marched towards his German counter-part and began landing at will with some brutal combinations.

The teenager then sent his opponent crashing to the canvas in the final moments of the first round, however the judges instead scored it as a push by the British star. 

However, Itauma didn't wait long in the second round before delivering a brutal right hook to Mezencev, which sent him crashing to the canvas.

British star Moses Itauma (right) produced a stunning knockout on Iija Mezencev (left)
British star Moses Itauma (right) produced a stunning knockout on Iija Mezencev (left)

British star Moses Itauma (right) produced a stunning knockout on Iija Mezencev (left)

The 19-year-old extended his unbeaten record to 9-0 after defeating the German in Riyadh
The 19-year-old extended his unbeaten record to 9-0 after defeating the German in Riyadh

The 19-year-old extended his unbeaten record to 9-0 after defeating the German in Riyadh

Itauma claimed the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight championship title with the victory
Itauma claimed the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight championship title with the victory

Itauma claimed the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight championship title with the victory

The German was clearly dazed and was wobbling immensely when he got back to his feet before the referee waved off the bout. 

The victory in Saudi Arabia sees Itauma claim the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight championship and extended his professional record to 9-0.

Speaking after the bout, Itauma said: 'I'm ready, (this is the) first (title) of many. I just go in there and do my job, I am grateful to be here. I was on point today, wasn't I? Everything is important.

'Anyone can get it. Everybody that I call out doesn't want to fight. Now that I have this title with me, I am happy with anyone.' 

Back in January, Itauma sat down with Mail Sport to explain his aspirations within boxing - such as becoming the youngest world champion since Mike Tyson. 

'I think I can do it. It was a lot more doable in Tyson's era because you never really had the promoters and the mandatories. Even if I don't achieve it, at least I'll be up there in those sort of talks,' he said.

'I want to go into this year full steam ahead and become the youngest heavyweight world champion but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't. I'm not gonna cry about it. It's a goal but sometimes you don't achieve your goals so you just move on to the next one.'

The youngster has aspirations of becoming the youngest world champion since Mike Tyson
The youngster has aspirations of becoming the youngest world champion since Mike Tyson

 The youngster has aspirations of becoming the youngest world champion since Mike Tyson

Itauma said, in his post-fight interview, that 'anyone can get it' following the impressive win
Itauma said, in his post-fight interview, that 'anyone can get it' following the impressive win

Itauma said, in his post-fight interview, that 'anyone can get it' following the impressive win

Earlier in the night, former two-time light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev was knocked down and comprehensively beaten on points by Robin Safar.

In just his second fight since being knocked out by Canelo Alvarez in November 2019, Kovalev stepped up to cruiserweight to take on unbeaten Swede Robin Safar in Riyadh, but was unable to roll back the years.

Having fallen behind on the scorecards, Kovalev was sent to the canvas in the closing seconds of the final round after a left hook-right hand combination from Safar.

Kovalev, 41, rose to his feet to hear the final bell, but all three judges scored the fight in favour of Safar.

Across the 10-round contest, Kovalev looked a shell of his former self, and this could spell the end of his glittering career.

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