Moses Itauma: A New Star or a Familiar Story?
When Moses Itauma flattened Dillian Whyte in under two minutes, the buzz was instant. Clips flew across social media, promoters were falling over themselves to call him the “future of the heavyweight division,” and fans started debating how long until he’s fighting for world titles.
But before we all buy into the hype, it’s worth asking whether this is a genuine star being born or just another case of boxing’s dangerous obsession with fast-tracking prospects. If you’re not familiar with Itauma’s journey so far, we’ve already broken it down in detail in our “Who Is Moses Itauma?” profile. It’s well worth a read for context — because understanding where a fighter comes from makes it easier to see where they might go.
Boxing Prospect Hype: A Sport-Wide Problem
It’s not just heavyweights. Boxing prospect hype infects every division. Promoters know that excitement sells — and nothing excites fans like the idea of the “next big thing.” The problem is, hype often gets mistaken for progress.
Take Campbell Hatton. With the famous surname and Matchroom backing, he was pushed into the spotlight from his debut. But instead of being allowed to learn away from the cameras, he was fighting on high-profile undercards from the get-go. The weight of expectation was massive, and ultimately, it was too much. We’ve looked at this in detail in both our piece on Hatton’s future and our article on his retirement. His story is a warning sign that hype can be as damaging as it is profitable.
Why the Rush? The Business Case
From a business standpoint, you can see why promoters move fast. The fight game is ruthless, broadcasters want quick returns, and fans’ attention spans are shorter than ever. If a young fighter makes headlines, the instinct is to capitalise before the hype train slows down.
That works for ticket sales and TV ratings, but it doesn’t necessarily work for the fighter. Boxing history is littered with examples of “can’t miss” prospects who were matched too tough, too early. Confidence crushed, career derailed.
Development Takes Time — But Doesn’t Sell
The unglamorous truth is that proper fighter development is slow. It’s eight-rounders in small halls. It’s learning how to deal with journeymen who don’t come to win. It’s building the stamina to go twelve rounds before you even think about a belt. None of that shifts DAZN subscriptions or sells out arenas.
So instead, fighters are pushed into “event fights” long before they’re truly ready. And while it might look like progress on the surface, all too often it leaves cracks that show later.
A Balancing Act for the Future
Moses Itauma might well prove he’s the real deal — maybe he is destined for world titles before 25. But even with him, the same warning applies: slow down. The sport doesn’t just need stars for tomorrow; it needs stars who last. A career that burns bright for two years before fading helps no one, least of all the fighter.
Promoters, managers, and broadcasters have to find a balance between hype and patience. Otherwise, we’ll keep seeing stories like Campbell Hatton’s repeat themselves — and each time, boxing loses another piece of its future.
What Do You Think?
Are boxing promoters guilty of killing their own prospects with too much hype? Or is this just the way the sport works in the social media era? Share your thoughts, tag a mate in the debate, and make sure to check out more opinion pieces over on CMBoxing.