Nigerian-born Itauma beats Whyte in first-round knockout

Nigerian born Sloviakian/British boxer, Moses Itauma condemned Dillian Whyte to a first-round defeat in their heavyweight contest at the ANB Arena in Riyadh; Elite prospect Itauma was stepping up against a former world title challenger who had previously boxed Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker and more

Moses Itauma blazed through Dillian Whyte with consummate ease to take out the former world title challenger in the first round.

The rising star was relaxed but quick. He found openings and badly shook up Whyte with a solid right hook.

He didn't hesitate to finish. Itauma hammered Whyte off his feet, and the Londoner could not regain his balance, with the referee waving off the bout inside the first round.

Itauma was looking to mark himself out as the future of the heavyweight division against a seasoned veteran, and he delivered the performance he needed.

Having previously dazzled against the likes of Mariusz Wach and Demsey McKean, Itauma was moving up a level to take on a former world title challenger.

Whyte, at 37, is at an advanced stage of his career, but he has boxed Derek Chisora, Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua, as well as fighting Tyson Fury for the WBC heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium.

After a 2023 rematch with Anthony Joshua was called off due to his adverse finding in a pre-bout drug test, Whyte was cleared to box and in December beat Ebenezer Tetteh.

Looking to recapture his previous form, Whyte weighed in the lightest he had in a decade, but he could not stave off the younger man. Itauma flicked out his southpaw jab. He drove in his left cross to test Whyte's body.

He feinted too, and Whyte was reacting too obviously. The Londoner attempted to stick out a long jab but rapid right hooks hurt Whyte.

Itauma wobbled him and then swarmed in with blazing punches. He smashed Whyte over, knocking him down to the canvas.

The veteran campaigner struggled upright as the referee counted, but then stumbled back into a corner. Robbed of his balance, he was too badly dazed to continue.

The fight was closer than two of the scorecards suggested, but Ball won unanimously, 117-111, 118-110 and 115-113 for the judges.