When heavyweight boxing prodigy Moses Itauma touched down in Lagos for the very first time, he wasn’t just another athlete flying into Nigeria—he was a son returning home. At only 20 years old, Itauma has traveled across Europe, the Middle East, and America in pursuit of boxing glory, but he confessed that nothing compared to the emotion of stepping onto Nigerian soil.
His words at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja revealed just how special the moment was for him: he recalled how a female security officer at the airport saw his championship belts and asked if he was Nigerian. When he explained that his father was from Nigeria, she proudly told him, “We’re proud of you.”
For Itauma, that simple exchange cut deeper than any crowd cheer he had heard abroad. It was recognition from his people, a feeling of belonging he had longed to experience, and a reminder that behind every punch he throws in foreign arenas, millions back home are rooting for him.
The homecoming, powered by his role as an ambassador for sports betting brand Bet9ja, has gone beyond press conferences and photographs. Itauma revealed that part of his partnership with the company includes initiatives that directly impact the grassroots boxing scene in Nigeria.
This week, he is expected to tour an inner-city boxing facility in Lagos, meet with young fighters who dream of following in his footsteps, and lay the groundwork for renovating a gym that he plans to reopen during his next visit. Beyond boxing, the schedule for his stay includes mentorship sessions, courtesy visits, fan engagements, and media appearances—activities designed to connect him not only with the sport’s community but with everyday Nigerians.
Bet9ja’s CEO, Ayo Ojoroye, described Itauma’s visit as symbolic of Nigerian excellence on the world stage, saying that the boxer embodies both heritage and talent in a way that inspires pride.
Yet the significance of this visit is not just about a boxer in Lagos—it is about a global story coming full circle. Moses Itauma’s journey began far from the cheering crowds of Nigeria. Born in Slovakia to a Nigerian father and Slovakian mother, his family moved to England when he was young, settling in Kent. There, his older brother Karol introduced him to boxing.
From age nine, Moses displayed a rare mix of discipline, hunger, and natural ability. He tore through the amateur scene, winning gold at the Youth World Championships and multiple European tournaments, building a reputation as a fighter destined for greatness. When he turned professional in January 2023, the boxing world paid close attention and he delivered instantly, knocking out Marcel Bode in just 23 seconds in his debut fight at Wembley Arena. That kind of explosive start made people sit up and take notice: this was no ordinary rookie.
Since then, Itauma has gone from strength to strength. In 2024, he won the WBO Intercontinental heavyweight belt by stopping Ilja Mezencev in the second round, and he defended it convincingly against seasoned Polish veteran Mariusz Wach, finishing him with brutal efficiency.
Later that year, in Riyadh, he floored Demsey McKean in the very first round, a statement victory against an experienced opponent. In 2025, he defeated American Mike Balogun in Glasgow, once again displaying sharp power and composure beyond his years. But the fight that truly shook the world came in Riyadh when he dismantled former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in just one round.
Whyte had fought the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Alexander Povetkin, men who needed multiple rounds to break him down. For Itauma to crush him in barely a minute sent a message to the entire heavyweight division: a new force had arrived.
That meteoric rise explains why his visit to Nigeria feels so powerful. Young boxers in the country see more than a champion in him—they see possibility. They see a man who, despite being raised abroad, has embraced his roots, wears his Nigerian heritage with pride, and now returns to pour into the soil that birthed him.
His statement at the press conference summed it up best: “Coming back to Nigeria and just breathing the Nigerian air is so emotional for me. This is a major part of my identity, and I am proud to finally connect with the people, the culture, and the energy that have shaped who I am today.”
These are not the words of a fighter who views his ancestral home as a mere stopover; they are the words of someone who knows his story cannot be complete without Nigeria. And as the heavyweight division looks ahead to its future, Moses Itauma stands not only as one of its brightest stars but also as a beacon of Nigerian resilience, ambition, and pride.