Moses Itauma might be the British heavyweight phenom EVERYBODY is raving about right now, but he is not the only bright young star emerging in the UK.
Itauma has been quite sensational in racing to a 12-0 pro resume with 10 of those blistering wins coming inside two rounds. He is now ranked #1 by the WBO and closing in fast on the elite of boxing’s marquee weight class, and a world title shot.
The next wave of heavyweight reinforcements though are right behind him as a new generation look to take up the baton from the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
READ MORE: Moses Itauma set for massive Wembley Stadium debut
They are headed by 18-year-old sensation Leo Atang, who hit the headlines recently when he became the latest huge signing for Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing.
The York teenager has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Britain as a result of his impressive accomplishments in the amateur ranks.
Trained by Ashley Martin out of the Legions ABC in his home city, the teenage sensation is a five-time National Champion and won the World Boxing Under-19 world championships last year in the US.
The former rugby league winger showed a glimpse of his explosive power by stopping his Korean opponent Lee Geon Hui inside the first round of the Super-Heavyweight final to claim gold.
Everybody wanted Atang
Now Atang is ready to make his eagerly-awaited pro debut on the undercard of that massive Jack Catterall vs Harlem Eubank all-British blockbuster in Manchester on Saturday July 5.
Leo got his first real taste of the big time this week at the press conference to officially announce that fight, with Matchroom chief Frank Smith raving about his potential.
He said: “I think everyone was after Leo Atang. Every promoter in British boxing, and in world boxing, was interested in signing Leo. He’s 18 years old; he needs time to develop but we believe we can do that. We’ve done it before, and we can take him all the way.
READ MORE: Moses Itauma moves closer to world heavyweight title shot
“He’s got all of the strengths that are needed to get to the top of this sport. We’re excited to be part of that journey. This is a journey that is going to last for the next 15 years. We’ve done it time and time again, and this will be another story in the Matchroom journey with a young fighter in Leo Atang that goes all the way. We’re excited to get started with him and looking forward to July 5.”
Atang himself has no qualms about his major goal – to become heavyweight champion of the world one day. It’s a journey he cannot wait to begin, and this week was purely the start.
Leo’s journey starts here
“It’s something you watch as a kid growing up. Seeing all of the press conferences and all of the weigh-ins. Now that I’m actually doing it, it’s definitely becoming real.
“Now was the right time to turn professional because I want to make up for the loss of activity as an amateur. I wasn’t going to be fighting for nearly over a year. I just wanted to be in there, learn on the job and eventually it’ll pay dividends in the future.
“I want to be Heavyweight World Champion one day. Tune in for a good performance, and a little knockout to finish.”
