Moses Itauma fears his new-found fame could make him a target for stalkers as he prepares for a potential heavyweight world title triumph.
The rising star will be crowned heavyweight world champion this weekend if he defeats veteran Filip Hrgovic, 34, in London. Itauma, 21, would be the second-youngest king of the division behind only Mike Tyson, who first ruled when he was 20. The Slovakian-born Brit can achieve the feat five years earlier than Anthony Joshua and six ahead of Tyson Fury.
Fame Comes at a Cost
With his two elders set to fight each other later this year as they head towards retirement, Itauma is primed to take their mantle. He has been tipped for greatness ever since he chose to turn professional instead of pursuing a spot at the Olympics. But having shared a gym with Joshua in the past, the undefeated star knows all too well that success can come at a cost.
“There are pros and cons to everything,” said Itauma. “I might go to a restaurant and the bill will be free and I like that touch because I wasn't planning on spending that much anyway. Or I might have bought a standard ticket for something and because of who I am, I'll be upgraded.”
“But at the same time it comes with having to take more pictures; that's why I don't spend as much time in the UK as I should. I'm not ready to be a crossover star, and if I think about it too much, I might just want to retire! I acknowledge that it might happen and that it's part of the job, but I try not to think about it.”
Seeking Anonymity
“I feel like I'm in a happy, comfortable place where I can go to certain places where people can't recognise me, and I can still have my spots in the UK. I can't imagine not having the luxury to go somewhere to rest and be anonymous. Me and Joshua had different training slots so I didn't see a whole heap of things, but I did see a lot of people who would switch up their character just because they were around him. He did have a couple of stalkers as well, and I can't imagine turning up to the gym and there are people just waiting outside.”
Itauma turned 21 last December but his fight schedule meant he couldn't celebrate the milestone until six months later. He joined forces with his brother and his friend who were also marking their birthdays. But no sooner had he checked in to his Stockholm hotel, than his trip turned into a photoshoot.
Birthday Trip Interrupted
“We got out to Sweden in the middle of May and I was so pumped for it,” he added. “But I literally went outside my hotel, walked three minutes down the road, and I had to take five or 10 pictures. Some people were local and some were from abroad and every security guard or bouncer knew who I was. I just wanted to go there and let my hair down but instead it just zapped all my energy.”
