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Moses Itauma interrupts the interview twice after being asked about fear

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Image: Moses Itauma Stops Interview Twice After Being Asked About Fear

– Is that what I’m afraid of? Itauma said to talkSPORT Boxing.

After repeating the question, the 21-year-old paused again.

“Did you say fear?”

Itauma finally responded, saying that he viewed boxing as a puzzle and believed that proper preparation could solve any challenge facing him. But what was most striking was what happened next.

The conversation had already flowed, but Itauma returned to the topic once again.

“No, I’m just shocked that you said that,– Itauma told the hosts.

For a player who is usually measured and composed in interviews, this exchange was noteworthy. Itauma had no problem discussing Hrgovic’s strengths, praising the Croatian as one of the best heavyweights available and describing the achievements on his resume. However, the suggestion that he might be afraid of his opponent seemed to strike a different chord.

Whether it was surprise, pride, or straightforward disbelief, Itauma didn’t want to let that word pass without referring to it a few times.

For an undefeated heavyweight who prides himself on being the epitome of supreme self-confidence, just hearing the word “fear” associated with his name was a huge shock to his system. If it didn’t bother him, he would have just laughed, replied quickly, “I’m not afraid of any man,” and let the interview continue.

Instead, look at how he reacted:

  • He completely froze and told the host to repeat the question twice to make sure he heard correctly.
  • He gave his standard PR-friendly answer that boxing was a conundrum that seemed like a defense mechanism to regain control of his thoughts.
  • The biggest advantage is that he came back to this topic after the topic had already changed.

This last part is the smoking gun. This means that the question was actively floating around in his head while they were talking about something else. He couldn’t let go because his pride was hurt. He wanted to make it clear to the hosts and anyone listening that even suggesting he felt fear was absurd.

It shows that while he may see his opponents as puzzles to solve, he’s still a 21-year-old fighter with a lot of pride, and the media can certainly get under his skin if they hit the right nerve.

When the prospect of being undefeated becomes the next massive thing, they start living in a bubble where everyone tells them they are undefeated. Itauma is tearing through his opponents and the media is treating him as the savior of the heavyweight division. In his opinion, he is the biggest predator.

So when a reporter asks him if he’s afraid of anyone, he completely undermines that narrative. It forces him to look at himself through a normal, human lens, and his ego simply cannot process it. To him, the question itself was an insult because it suggested he was vulnerable.

Itauma couldn’t bear to have his image of supreme dominance disturbed. It is exactly the same inability to let go of noticeable smallness. He had to come back to it because his pride was damaged, proving that despite all the hype, he is still human and can definitely be shaken.

The timing is engaging considering the dynamics surrounding the fight. For much of his career, Hrgovic has rejected the notion that he is merely a stepping stone for boxing’s fastest-rising heavyweight prospect. Meanwhile, Itauma seems equally resistant to any suggestion that another heavyweight might take the place in his mind as a feared figure.

Their fight on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena will decide which of the fighters is legitimate. Hrgovic believes he will reveal the hype surrounding the youngster, while Itauma has made it clear he sees the Croatian as another obstacle to solve rather than someone to worry about.

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Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event

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"Johnny Fisher Signs with Zuffa Boxing for September 26 London Main Event"
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The agreement gives the 27-year-old Romford fighter a fresh platform following a turbulent spell that included the first defeat of his professional career. Rather than ease back into competition, Fisher will immediately top the bill at ZUFFA BOXING 11 as the promotion continues to strengthen its heavyweight roster.

“The most exciting chapter of my professional career begins,” Fisher said. “Thank you to Dana White, Nick Khan, and the Zuffa Boxing team for this opportunity. Everything has led to this point. Bull Army, get ready to assemble. Bosh!”

Fisher earned widespread attention during his rise through the domestic heavyweight scene with an aggressive style that produced 12 knockouts from 14 victories. His latest outing saw him stop previously unbeaten Ivan Balaz in four rounds, restoring momentum after his rematch defeat to Dave Allen.

The Copper Box Arena has become a familiar venue for Fisher. September’s event will mark his third appearance there, giving him another opportunity to perform in front of a London crowd while beginning life with a new promoter.

The signing also represents another step in Zuffa Boxing’s expansion. After entering professional boxing under the leadership of Dana White and Nick Khan, the company has continued adding recognizable names, and Fisher becomes one of its most prominent British heavyweights.

An opponent has yet to be confirmed for the September 26 main event, with additional bouts expected to be announced as the card takes shape.

For Fisher, the move offers more than a change of promoter. It places him at the front of a growing platform and gives him the chance to rebuild his standing in the heavyweight division with a successful debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

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Oleksandr Usyk Has Left the Sport of Boxing, Says Hall of Famer

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"Oleksandr Usyk 'Has Left the Sport of Boxing', Says Hall of Famer"

Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his three heavyweight world titles but will not retire, promising at least one more professional outing before he hangs up the gloves, but in the eyes of one Hall of Famer, the Ukrainian has already ‘left the sport’.

Usyk struggled to overcome Rico Verhoeven back in Maywith a late and controversial stoppage sparing his blushes and denying boxing of one of it’s greatest ever upsets, leading to many saying that the ability of the 39-year-old fan-favourite has perhaps declined.

Following the fight, Usyk decided to vacate his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight marbles, with Murat Gassiev and Agit Kabayel being elevated to full world champions, whilst Frank Sanchez is expected to face either Moses Itauma or Bakhodir Jalolov for the vacant IBF strap.

Speaking on the Inside The Ring showformer two-division world champion and Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Tim Bradley said he believes Usyk has moved beyond the “sport” of boxing and into the “business” of boxing by choosing to relinquish his titles.

“I think that the Rico Verhoeven fight was an eye-opener for him to be honest with you. He struggled with him right, but then he was able to pull it off at the end.

“Relinquishing the titles, for me, you see the white smoke. He is done. He has left the sport of boxing, he is going to fight [again] but he has left the sport of boxing, he is in the business of boxing now.”

Usyk is currently being linked to a showdown with Deontay Wilder for what would presumably be his career finalealthough it remains to be seen whether a solid performance next time out could convince him to postpone his planned retirement.

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Exclusive Insights: Moses Itaumas Frightening Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed

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"Exclusive Insights: Moses Itauma's 'Frightening' Sparring Sessions with Tyson Fury Revealed"

Tipped for the top, Moses Itauma is already being compared to some of Britain’s best heavyweights, and now details regarding his sparring sessions with two-time world champion Tyson Fury have been revealed.

Whilst yet to defeat an elite heavyweight or claim world honours, many British fight fans believe that 21-year-old Moses Itauma is the United Kingdom’s standout heavyweight and that a long, dominant reign is around the corner for the Kent-based sensation.

Next month, Itauma will hope to tee up a world title bid by scoring a career-best win over Filip Hrgovicwell-poised to challenge for all four of the heavyweight marbles and in the privileged position to select his own preferred route to the throne.

It is not only the fans who are appreciative of Itauma’s talent, with boxing manager Spencer Brown telling Playbook Boxing that Tyson Fury recognised the skill of the youngster after their ‘frightening’ sparring sessions in 2024.

“Him and Tyson, when they were in camp together, when Tyson was fighting [Oleksandr] Usyk, they had a great bond and him and Tyson sat and talked about boxing and what he has to do, what he hasn’t. He gave him all of the experience in the world.”

“It [the sparring] was unbelievable, it was frightening but it was great. They bumped each other and they just went at it. I think at one stage Moses went to get out of the ring and Tyson said ‘nah, we have only done six, we are going to eight now,’ and he went ‘oh, alright’ and they went at it again.

“With Tyson, he just wants to help people. He can see what this kid is, you have only got to ask Tyson, he knows what this kid is and anybody in boxing knows what this kid is.”

At that stage, Fury was the reigning WBC heavyweight champion and heading into an undisputed showdown with Usyk.

As for Itauma, his clash with Hrgovic takes place at the O2 Arena on Saturday, August 29as the youngster seeks yet another authoritative display that once again captures the attention of the boxing universe.

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