Slovak-born Brit Moses Itauma wasted no time reminding the heavyweight division why he’s one among its brightest rising stars, stopping American veteran Mike Balogun within the second spherical to retain his WBA Worldwide heavyweight title Saturday night time 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 depend of the night time. Balogun bravely beat the depend and managed to make it by the spherical, however the harm had been carried out.
Within the second, Itauma picked his pictures with surgical precision. A punishing mixture despatched Balogun to a knee, clearly rattled. Though the American tried to rally and swing his manner again into the struggle, 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 hassle with a depend—this one was over.
With the emphatic TKO win, Itauma improves to 12-0 with 10 knockouts and continues to construct momentum as one of the vital 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.
