Rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma will return to the ring on May 24th in Glasgow, where he is set to face American southpaw Mike Balogun.
Balogun, a former NFL linebacker turned heavyweight boxer, holds an impressive-looking record but has struggled to make a significant mark against higher-tier opposition. The 40-year-old Maryland native's most notable outings include a first-round stoppage win over Trey Lippe-Morrison and a quick two-round defeat to former unified cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev. Balogun has fought only once since that loss, defeating a journeyman with a 11-2-5 record over a year ago.
For Itauma, the fight appears to be more of a stay-busy affair than a genuine test. The 20-year-old southpaw has impressed with his skills stopping nine of his eleven opponents inside the distance. Despite his dominance, critics argue that Itauma is in need of stiffer competition if he is to continue evolving toward world title contention.
Watch Itauma vs. McKean highlights: Watch
There was also some speculation in past months that Itauma could challenge Mike Tyson’s long-standing record as the youngest heavyweight world champion in history. However, with the May 19th deadline having effectively passed for such a feat, Itauma’s focus now shifts to building experience and climbing the rankings with meaningful victories.
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