There’s no stopping it now — the Itauma vs Joshua comparison is here, and it’s only going to get louder.
Whenever a young British heavyweight starts blowing opponents away, the same question comes up. Is he the next Anthony Joshua? Could he go even further?
But here’s the thing — just because a comparison is inevitable doesn’t mean it’s fair.
And right now, it probably isn’t.
Why the Itauma vs Joshua Comparison Exists
Let’s be honest — we all see it.
Moses Itauma is young, explosive, technically sharp, and already looks levels above a typical prospect. That alone puts him in rare territory.
Add in the British heavyweight spotlight, and suddenly the Itauma vs Joshua comparison becomes unavoidable.
Joshua followed a similar narrative in the public eye:
- Olympic success
- Fast-tracked professional career
- Knockouts early and often
- Massive attention from the start
It’s the blueprint fans recognise — so they apply it again.
But boxing isn’t that simple.
Anthony Joshua Wasn’t Normal — He Was an Exception
This is where the comparison starts to fall apart.
Anthony Joshua didn’t just rise quickly — he exploded onto the scene.
Within 18 months of turning professional, he was headlining the O2 Arena and fighting for a world title against Charles Martin. That’s not standard progression — that’s almost unheard of.
And let’s not forget:
- He had limited amateur experience compared to many elite fighters
- He won Olympic gold at 2012 London Olympics
- He became a unified world champion incredibly early in his career
That’s generational.
Not “very good”. Not “promising”. Generational.
So when we talk about the Itauma vs Joshua comparison, we need to acknowledge something important:
Joshua isn’t the benchmark for a normal elite career — he’s the outlier.
Moses Itauma Is on His Own Path
Moses Itauma looks like the real deal — no question.
The speed, the composure, the shot selection — it’s all there. You don’t see many heavyweights that comfortable so early.
But his development matters more than comparisons.
Right now, he’s being built the way a modern prospect should be:
- Carefully stepped up
- Given rounds when needed
- Allowed to develop physically and mentally
And that’s a good thing.
Because if there’s one lesson boxing keeps teaching us, it’s this:
Rush a heavyweight, and you usually regret it.
The Heavyweight Division Has Changed
Another reason the Itauma vs Joshua comparison doesn’t quite hold up is the era itself.
Joshua came through at a time when:
- The division was rebuilding post-Klitschko dominance
- Opportunities opened up quickly
- Broadcasters and promoters needed new stars fast
Today, it’s very different.
The heavyweight scene is:
- More crowded
- More political
- More commercially driven
You’ve got multiple governing bodies, ranking systems, and mandatory positions all shaping careers.
If you want a clear breakdown of how contenders actually get into position, it’s worth understanding how eliminators and mandatories work — something I’ve covered here on CMBoxing.
The point is simple:
Even if Itauma is ready early, the system might not let him move like Joshua did.
Is the Itauma vs Joshua Comparison Actually Helpful?
This is where it gets interesting.
Because the Itauma vs Joshua comparison isn’t just a talking point — it creates pressure.
And not the good kind.
It does three things:
- Raises expectations unrealistically
- Speeds up fan impatience
- Sets a career timeline that may not fit the fighter
Suddenly, anything less than Joshua’s rise feels like a disappointment — which is ridiculous when you actually think about it.
Let Itauma build.
Let him develop.
Let him become his own version of a world-class heavyweight — not a copy of someone else.
So… Could Itauma Surpass Joshua?
Maybe.
That’s the honest answer.
The tools are there. The talent looks real. And the ceiling could be incredibly high.
But surpassing Anthony Joshua isn’t a small claim:
- Multiple world titles
- Global superstar status
- Headlining stadium fights
- Defining an era of British boxing
That’s legacy-level achievement.
Right now, Itauma is at the start of that journey — not the end of it.
Final Thoughts
The Itauma vs Joshua comparison was always coming. That much was guaranteed.
But just because we can compare them doesn’t mean we should — at least not yet.
Joshua’s rise was unique. Itauma’s path is still being written.
And if we’re being honest, boxing is far more interesting when we stop trying to recreate the past and start watching what’s actually in front of us.
Join the Conversation
What do you think — is the Itauma vs Joshua comparison fair, or are we putting too much pressure on a young fighter?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this with other boxing fans, and head over to CMBoxing for more honest takes, breakdowns, and proper boxing discussion.