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Eddie Hearn's next heavyweight superstar who idolises Anthony Joshua
An 18-year-old heavyweight is turning professional this weekend so be prepared for an insane amount of Mike Tyson comparisons beforehand and afterwards.
Following on from the successful outing of Tiah Mai Ayton last month, Atang is another teenager Eddie Hearn is building his long term hopes on and after having his last young heavyweight golden boy in Anthony Joshua, there is a belief that Atang can be another marquee name in boxing’s glamour division.
Assessing the division as it stands from a British perspective, Daniel Dubois and Moses Itauma appear to be well position to dominate the heavyweight landscape for years to come.
The heavy-handed pair, both guided by Frank Warren before they had even turned 20, are essentially the blueprint for Atang, who had multiple offers from various promoters before deciding that Hearn, the man who spearheaded the Joshua movement, was the direction to go in.
“We spoke to all the promoters, but it was clear that Matchroom had the best plans for me,” said Atang during an excluive interview with DAZN News.
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Now about to be unleashed, Atang is fully aware of his surroundings and the path taken by Dubois and Itauma who are both now operating at the business end of the division. Later this month, Dubois will aim to become undisputed heavyweight champion when he faces Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley and that is followed by Itauma aiming to beat Dillian Whyte in August.
This is the platform that Atang once to one day be on and this Saturday in Manchester, he will take the first steps towards that location.
“I’ve seen both Itauma and Dubois do really well what they’ve done. My journey is probably going to be a bit different to Itauma as he has gone in there all guns blazing wanting to be the youngest world champion. I believe I can do that but I know I have some maturing to do both physically and mentally.
“At this moment, I would prefer to take a more traditional route and move up the rankings winning titles each level I go to.”
Another fighter admired by Atang is Anthony Joshua. Where Rocky Balboa and Muhammad Ali once inspired a generation of fighters, Joshua is now the trendsetter for multiple young fighters, and Atang has made it clear just how much the two-time heavyweight champion has motivated him.
“It’s gonna sound a bit cliche, but it was AJ who I grew up watching,” revealed Itauma.
“He was the face of British boxing. He was the face of boxing. He was someone who I really looked up to. He inspired me to make my own journey and now I’m getting ready to start.”
Edgar Berlanga vs Hamzah Sheeraz will be streamed exclusively on DAZN PPV, on July 12. Buy the PPV now here
