Moses Itauma is preparing for the most significant fight of his boxing career, drawing strength from the close support of his family amid personal and professional challenges. The 21-year-old heavyweight contender is set to face Croatian fighter Filip Hrgovic in an IBF world heavyweight title bout at London’s O2 Arena.

Itauma’s journey has been shaped not only by his own ambitions but also by the experiences of his older brother, Karol Itauma, a 2018 Youth Olympic gold medalist who turned professional in 2020. Karol’s promising career was cut short after just 14 professional fights when he suffered a severe heart attack in 2024, forcing him into early retirement. Despite this setback, Karol remains a key figure in Moses’ development, providing guidance and support both inside and outside the ring.

Moses has spoken candidly about the impact of his brother’s health scare, describing how it affected their family and strengthened their bond. "You try to not make boxing your identity but let it be part of your identity," Moses said, reflecting on the challenge of coping with the abrupt end to Karol’s career. He emphasized the importance of family support during difficult times, noting that their collective strength has helped them navigate adversity.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Moses briefly lost focus on boxing, mixing with negative influences and stepping away from the sport. Karol intervened with a unique strategy to motivate his younger brother—offering him £1 for every kilometer he ran. This incentive helped Moses regain fitness and rekindle his interest in boxing. From there, he received sparring opportunities from notable figures such as Lawrence Okolie, which rekindled his professional drive and led to his current undefeated record of 14-0.

Karol, along with their brothers Charles and Samuel, remains deeply involved in Moses’ career. Karol is also preparing to launch a health gym, Club Eight³, in Chatham, Kent, later this year, extending his commitment to fitness and wellbeing beyond boxing.

Moses credits his family circle for keeping him grounded and focused. “Since I was about 14, my whole circle agreed this is what I’m going to do—‘You’re going to be a boxer,’” he said. He acknowledges that their constant encouragement and support have been crucial in maintaining his discipline and drive.

Should Moses Itauma win the upcoming title fight, he would become the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson, who captured the title at age 20 in 1986. With established heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury approaching the latter stages of their careers, Itauma’s emergence signals a potential new chapter in the division.