Itauma vs Franklin: British heavyweight reflects on pro career & upcoming bout

Itauma’s professional journey was short but brutal. He boxed just 26 rounds in his professional career, most of which were abandoned.

In his Wembley Arena debut in January 2023, he defeated Marcel Bode in just 23 seconds. But like the Whyte fight, the early ending didn’t bring much joy.

“I didn’t care,” he thinks. “My brother suffered his first loss literally minutes ago. I honestly didn’t even want to fight that day.”

Family is the essence of the Itauma story. His brother, light-heavyweight Karol Itauma, sits behind the cameras during fight week duties. This vineyard was established on a 1,650 kilometer journey from Kezmarok under Slovakia’s Tatra Mountain to Chatham in Kent.

Born to a Slovak mother and Nigerian father, the youngster’s early years were defined by racism and the search for a place to belong.

“Me and my siblings do not look very Slovak, and the opportunities we can have in this country are limited,” says Itauma.

“My mother said: If they move to a country where people of mixed race descent are more common, they will probably have more opportunities and a better upbringing.”

These sacrifices influenced every decision that followed. Itauma started boxing at the age of nine, but it wasn’t until he was 14 that he decided to take it seriously.

“My mother sacrificed a lot coming to England,” she says. “I have to achieve this somehow. So yes, it is difficult, but I am happy that my mother makes the decisions and frankly, I follow it.”

This “family first” mentality is why Frank Warren turned down the Olympic route with Team GB to sign with Queensberry Promotions.

“The short and sweet of it was that my family needed money,” he adds.