Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has pointed to a glaring psychological vulnerability in Moses Itauma’s makeup that could threaten his long-term ambitions of reaching the summit of heavyweight boxing, even as he backs the young star to eventually capture a major world title.
The assessment follows a dramatic turning point in Itauma’s career earlier this year. In August, the promising 21-year-old stepped into the ring attempting to etch his name into the history books by becoming the youngest heavyweight champion of the world since Mike Tyson famously dethroned Trevor Berbick with a second-round finish back in 1986. For the majority of his high-stakes bout against seasoned Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic, Itauma appeared well on his way to achieving that monumental milestone, showcasing the blistering hand speed and explosive power that have long made him one of the sport’s most discussed prospects.
During the early stages of the encounter, Itauma completely dictated the pace and rhythm of the fight. His lightning-fast combinations and fluid movement were becoming an increasingly unsolvable puzzle for Hrgovic. The physical toll of the onslaught became evident in the second round, when Itauma landed a concussive blow that sent Hrgovic crashing to the canvas for a knockdown. At that moment, the boxing world seemed on the verge of witnessing the coronation of a new teenage king of the heavyweight division.
However, boxing at the elite championship level demands more than just explosive early-round brilliance; it requires immense tactical discipline, deep reserves of stamina, and the ability to manage a grueling pace over the championship distance. Itauma ultimately failed to sustain his ferocious offensive output as the rounds progressed. Hrgovic, displaying the grit and resilience expected of a veteran operator, maintained his focus through the storm, absorbed a considerable degree of punishment, and weathered the early heavy fire.
As the fight wore on into the deeper rounds, clear signs of severe physical fatigue began to manifest in the young British heavyweight. With his energy reserves rapidly depleting, Itauma’s once-tight defensive shell began to loosen, leaving openings that a fighter of Hrgovic’s caliber was bound to exploit. Seizing the opening, the Croatian mounted a stunning and epic comeback, orchestrating a dramatic ninth-round finish that left the boxing world stunned and handed Itauma the first defeat of his professional career, effectively shattering his unbeaten record in devastating fashion.
In securing that victory, Hrgovic claimed the vacant IBF heavyweight title, stepping into a new chapter of his career where he is now widely expected to make his first defense against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez. Like Hrgovic himself, Sanchez is a vastly experienced, technically sound operator at 34 years of age, representing the exact type of seasoned hurdle that young contenders must learn to navigate.
Itauma, meanwhile, is already looking toward the future and is reportedly set to return to competitive action early next year. Following his recent decision to make a trainer switch and team up with Ben Davison, the young heavyweight is rebuilding his momentum. Amidst the discussions regarding his developmental trajectory, former world champion Tony Bellew offered a candid and nuanced assessment of Itauma’s potential during an appearance on Fight Your Corner.
While Bellew expressed absolute confidence that the prodigy will still go on to claim a major world title before his career is finished, he did not shy away from addressing what he perceives as a fundamental psychological hurdle facing the young fighter. According to Bellew, the concern goes beyond physical conditioning or technical adjustments in the gym.
Bellew explained that while he considers himself a genuine fan of Moses Itauma and regards the kid’s raw talent as nothing short of unbelievable, peeling back the layers reveals a more complicated picture. In Bellew’s view, Itauma may not actually be a true student of the game who harbors a deep, consuming love for boxing itself. Instead, the former champion suspects that fighting might simply be something the young athlete happens to be exceptionally good at, drawing a sharp distinction between natural ability and obsessive passion—a dynamic that Bellew views as a potential worry for long-term dominance.
Despite raising these concerns regarding Itauma’s internal motivations, Bellew was quick to emphasize that the young heavyweight possesses the fundamental character traits required to survive and thrive at the highest level. Specifically, Bellew highlighted that Itauma has already proven his heart is firmly in the right place by displaying immense courage inside the ring. When the fight turned against him and he found himself exhausted and essentially out on his feet against Hrgovic, Itauma did not quit; instead, he gritted his teeth and got stuck in, showing the kind of bravery that cannot be taught in a training camp.
Bellew concluded that regardless of coaching changes, external noise, or the inevitable setbacks that come with competing at the elite level, Itauma possesses the rare blend of natural talent and raw bravery that will ultimately see him through. In Bellew’s eyes, that combination of gifts will safely overrule any potential lack of romantic passion for the craft, ensuring that Itauma will not only become a world champion in due course, but will also continue to evolve and get better as he gathers invaluable experience on the global stage.
