Moses Itauma will be trained by Ben Davison after separating from Alan Smith.
Under Smith’s guidance, the promising heavyweight in March stopped Dan Garber in less than a round, but he has since moved to work under Davison – credited with reviving the career of Anthony Joshua, having also once overseen Tyson Fury’s comeback.
In Fabio Wardley, Davison also works with another of Britain’s leading heavyweights, but with Fury and Joshua nearing the end of their careers, the 19-year-old Itauma is coming to be seen as Britain’s finest heavyweight prospect. They will work together for the first time when, on the undercard of the undisputed heavyweight title fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 18, Itauma fights Germany’s Ilja Mezencev, 28.
“It’s a massive bonus getting a fighter at that stage of his career,” said Davison. Itauma is entering his ninth professional fight.
“We can develop him in the way that we feel necessary; develop certain areas of his game that we feel need it. We can create a better relationship; a better understanding of the fighter, and vice-versa – a better understanding of us.
“I feel like it makes for a better relationship and a better fighter when you get them so early on in their career. Especially the type of fighter he is – it’s a match made in heaven.”
“It’s a very positive move for Moses,” said the heavyweight’s manager Francis Warren. “Ben’s a terrific coach.
“He did wonders when Tyson first came back and now he’s working with Anthony Joshua, so Moses is going to be keeping in good company in the gym. Ben’s got a very analytical approach to how he operates and he’ll spend a lot of time with Moses honing his craft.
“Moses is excited for the fresh start, and is excited to be training alongside some other heavyweights in the gym, as well as Ben’s great team.
“It’s nigh-on impossible to get Moses sparring. Everyone says ‘Yes’ to it and then I suppose they go away, have a look at him, and then their phones go dead. It’s the same with the opponents, to be honest, so it’s good to have that quality sparring in-house. If it works for Moses and it works for Anthony and Fabio at the time of their prep, then brilliant. It’s great work for everybody all round.
“But one thing’s for sure – Moses is on his own path, and he’s looking to pick up knowledge and wisdom along the way, and having chats with Anthony I’m sure will benefit him massively.”
Itauma, from Chatham, Kent, had been working with Smith at Ibox Gym in Bromley. The Ben Davison Performance Centre is in Harlow, Essex.
“Moses has told me that he thoroughly enjoyed his time under Alan Smith, and I know that Alan wishes him all the best for the future, and has left the door open to give him some advice along the way,” Warren continued.
“He’s fighting on May 18th on the biggest fight of the century, against someone with a decent record – he’s 25-3. We’re on the world-ranking path. I fully expect him to be knocking on the door of the top five by the end of January 2025 – that’s the aim.”