Moses Itauma: Why British Boxing's Next Heavyweight Star Started Young

Moses Itauma turned professional at 17. By 19, he was knocking out grown men with the kind of power that makes heavyweight boxing exciting again. But the story that matters isn't the knockouts - it's what happened before them.

Itauma didn't appear from nowhere. He came through the amateur system, trained at a community boxing club, and developed his skills the same way every young boxer does - one session at a time, learning the basics before anything else.

That's worth remembering when you watch him fighting on BT Sport. The explosive finishes started with a kid learning to hold his guard up properly.

The Amateur Foundation

Starting Young

Itauma began boxing at a young age, following his brother into the gym. He competed extensively as a youth amateur, representing Great Britain internationally and winning medals at European and World Youth Championships.

The amateur system in British boxing is structured, well-coached, and genuinely world-class. It's the same pathway that produced Anthony Joshua, Nicola Adams, and dozens of other Olympic and professional champions.

What makes Itauma's story relevant for parents considering kids boxing is that he didn't start in a professional gym doing professional things. He started in a community club, doing the same drills your child would do - skipping, shadow boxing, learning to throw a straight punch.

Why Youth Boxing Matters

The benefits Itauma got from youth boxing go well beyond fighting ability:

Discipline. Amateur boxing demands commitment. You turn up, you train, you listen to your coach. There's no room for laziness or attitude. Kids who box learn to work hard because the sport simply doesn't function any other way.

Confidence. Learning to box gives young people a quiet confidence that shows in everything else they do. It's not aggression - it's self-assurance. Itauma has carried himself with composure beyond his years throughout his professional career, and that comes from growing up in the gym.

Physical development. Boxing is one of the most physically demanding sports for young people. Coordination, balance, reflexes, cardiovascular fitness, upper and lower body strength - it develops everything simultaneously.

Structure. For a lot of kids, the boxing gym is the most structured environment in their lives. At Honour & Glory, our coaches set clear expectations and the kids respond to it. It's remarkable how quickly even the most energetic 5-year-old settles into the routine of a boxing session.

The Professional Transition

Power That Translates

Itauma's professional debut made people sit up. The power he'd shown as an amateur - unusual for that age and weight class - translated immediately to the professional game where the gloves are smaller and the knockouts are more frequent.

His punching technique is fundamentally sound. He sits down on his shots, generates power through his legs and hips rather than just his arms, and has natural timing that allows him to catch opponents clean. These aren't things you develop overnight. They're the product of years of repetition in the gym.

Ring Intelligence

For someone so young, Itauma shows unusual composure in the ring. He doesn't rush, doesn't panic, and rarely wastes energy. He picks his moments, sets up his big shots with the jab, and trusts his power to do the work when the opening appears.

This is amateur boxing's influence. In the amateurs, you learn to think. Rounds are short, scoring is based on clean punches, and wild swinging gets you nowhere. That disciplined approach stays with fighters when they turn professional.

What Parents Should Know About Youth Boxing

Safety

This is always the first question, and it should be. Youth boxing in the UK is heavily regulated by the ABAE (Amateur Boxing Association of England). At clubs like Honour & Glory, every coach is DBS checked, first aid trained, and safeguarding certified.

For infants aged 5-9, sessions focus on non-contact skills - coordination, basic technique, fitness, and fun. There's no sparring, no contact between children, and no pressure to compete.

For juniors aged 10-16, controlled pad work is introduced alongside more advanced technique. Sparring is only available for those in the amateur programme and is always supervised, with full protective equipment.

The Commitment

Youth boxing doesn't require a massive time commitment. Sessions at Honour & Glory run 2-3 times per week, each lasting about an hour. That's enough to develop skills, build fitness, and become part of the community without overwhelming a child's schedule.

The cost is deliberately low. Our junior sessions are £5 each because we're a community club, not a commercial gym. No joining fee, no monthly contract.

The Path Forward

Not every kid who boxes will become Moses Itauma. Most won't compete at all, and that's completely fine. The skills they learn - discipline, fitness, confidence, respect - are valuable regardless of whether they ever step into a competitive ring.

For those who do want to compete, the amateur pathway is clearly structured. Club-level bouts, regional championships, national championships, and international representation. Our coaches can guide talented juniors through every stage.

Start Their Journey

Itauma's career began in a gym not unlike ours - a community club where coaches cared about developing young people, not just producing fighters.

If your child is interested in boxing, book a free trial at Honour & Glory. We run infants sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays (5-6pm) and junior sessions Monday to Friday. All equipment provided, parents welcome to watch.

The next Moses Itauma is somewhere in south east London right now. Maybe they just need a gym to walk into.