Billy Joe Saunders names Moses Itauma best heavyweight since Ali

Billy Joe Saunders has placed Moses Itauma at the top of the heavyweight division, calling the unbeaten prospect the finest fighter he has seen since Muhammad Ali. The assessment comes before Itauma’s first world-title challenge and represents one of the strongest endorsements of the 21-year-old’s career so far.

Saunders, a former two-weight world champion, believes Itauma is already ahead of every active heavyweight, including WBO champion Daniel Dubois. His view puts the young fighter in a class that includes Ali, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history alongside names such as Joe Louis and Lennox Lewis.

The praise is based on Itauma’s combination of movement, speed and versatility. Saunders has highlighted the Briton’s ability to work from either the front or back foot, use a slip-and-counter technique and throw a lead uppercut while quickly following with further punches.

Itauma remains unbeaten but has yet to compete at world level. That will change on August 29, when he faces Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title. Victory would put Itauma on course to become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson.

The challenge follows Itauma’s fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin in March. Franklin was described as a fringe contender, while Hrgovic represents the toughest assignment of Itauma’s career to date. The Croatian stands between the prospect and a world championship, as well as the chance to give greater weight to Saunders’ remarkable comparison with Ali.