Teddy Atlas says Moses Itauma has more dimensions than Mike Tyson

Teddy Atlas has compared Moses Itauma favourably with Mike Tyson, saying the unbeaten British heavyweight has a broader range of skills than the former world champion. Atlas trained Tyson alongside Cus D’Amato and believes Itauma can use more methods in the ring than Tyson did.

Itauma, 21, has stopped 12 of his 14 professional opponents and has never been taken beyond the sixth round. His next contest will be the biggest of his career, with Filip Hrgovic standing between him and the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

Atlas sees Itauma as a fighter who can box, counterpunch and create openings with traps. He also believes the young heavyweight can fight at close range, attack the body and head, combine punches and apply pressure when needed.

Tyson, in Atlas’s assessment, was built around a more direct approach. His speed, power, head movement and aggression allowed him to force mistakes before delivering punishment, but his style was less varied than Itauma’s developing game.

The comparison remains significant because Atlas considers speed and power the clearest link between the two fighters. He said Itauma is the first heavyweight since Tyson to show such a strong combination of quickness and force with both hands.

Tyson became the youngest heavyweight world champion in history when he defeated Trevor Berbick for the WBC title in 1986 at the age of 20. Itauma will have the chance to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion when he faces Hrgovic on Saturday, August 29.

The bout will headline Itauma’s first appearance in the British capital. His record of 12 stoppages in 14 fights and his lack of experience beyond six rounds will be tested against Hrgovic in a contest for a major world title.