Warren draws incredible Messi and Jordan comparison to Itauma

Francis Warren has seen many heavyweights come and go during his time in various roles within boxing. 

Now guiding the career of Moses Itauma, one of the sport’s brightest prospects, the son of Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren cannot hide his excitement when it comes to his fighter’s incredible potential . 

Bypassing the familiar amateur scene where reputations are developed and ruined in equal measure, Itauma went from boy to man in a heartbeat when he turned professional at the beginning of 2023 and scored a first-round win over Marcel Bode on debut.

Since that win, Itauma - who Warren saw spar Lerrone Richards at just 14 to convince him of his high ceiling - has continued to blitz his way through the heavyweight rankings and is on the verge of something special.   

In December 2024, on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 , Itauma was expected to receive a significant test against Australia's Demsey McKean.

But those pre-fight predictions were brutally extinguished as Itauma was victorious in the opening round , following a similar template of destructive performances set out by his career so far. 

Itauma added another first round win to his ledger in August of last year when he halted former world title challenger, Dillian Whyte, and he returns to action this next weekend when he goes in with durable American, Jermaine Franklin.

The business end of the sport may be constantly changing, but Warren is adamant Itauma will soon be the main man at the sport's high table. 

“Everyone is starting to know who this kid is and he’s going to be one of those fighters who transcends into the mainstream,” he exclusively told  DAZN News during a lunch with Itauma at London’s  Club Chinois restaurant, in 2025.

“Nobody has had this level of attention maybe since Anthony Joshua and that's because he worked his a— and won the Olympics in London. 

“I’ve worked with many great fighters, but I think Moses is the one to go on and do superstar stuff. This kid is extra special. 

“Believe me, Moses is a Lionel Messi, he’s a Michael Jordan, he’s a Tiger Woods, he’s a Michael Phelps. He will go down as one of the sporting greats.”