British boxing legend, Prince Naseem Hamed, has tipped rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma to achieve greater success than former world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Itauma, 21, is unbeaten after 14 professional bouts and is set to face Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
The Chatham-born fighter has emerged as one of the sport’s most highly rated young heavyweights, with victory potentially making him the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history, behind only Mike Tyson.
Hamed believes Itauma possesses qualities that set him apart from both Fury and Joshua.
“Moses is on another level to the likes of Tyson Fury and Tyson would say that himself. Tyson would not want to fight Moses and neither would Joshua,” Hamed told BBC Sport.
“If they did I would say they are very brave.”
Itauma could claim a world title one fight earlier than Joshua did, having reached the opportunity in his 15th professional bout.
Fury has suffered two defeats in his career, both against Oleksandr Usyk, while Joshua has lost four times in 34 professional contests.
Despite praising the achievements of both former champions, Hamed insisted he sees Itauma as being in a different class.
“I think Tyson Fury was amazing for British boxing and what he achieved, what he did and brought to the game and how colourful he was as a personality,” Hamed said.
“I think Joshua did an amazing job early in his career to win a world title and be an ambassador for British boxing.
“[But] I can’t compare Moses. He is a million times better than them.”
Hamed, who became Britain’s youngest world champion in 1995 at the age of 21 years and 230 days, also backed Itauma to enjoy a long reign at the top.
“I’m so confident that Moses is going to be the heavyweight champion of the world. I’m so confident that he’ll defend that belt for as long as he wants.”
Although Hrgovic has a stronger record against high-level opposition, including an Olympic bronze medal and only one career defeat, Hamed expects Itauma to overcome the challenge comfortably.
“On paper it’s a test but I don’t think the night that we watch it it will be a test,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be one of Moses’ easiest nights of his career and he’ll win a world title.”
