Boxing legend Hamed: Moses Itauma is 'a million times better' than Fury and Joshua

Boxing icon Prince Naseem Hamed has declared that rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma is "a million times better" than former world champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Hamed, a legendary figure himself, predicts that the 21-year-old Itauma will not only surpass but also eclipse the achievements of both Joshua and Fury.

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Moses is on another level to the likes of Tyson Fury and Tyson would say that himself. Tyson would not want to fight Moses and neither would Joshua. If they did I would say they are very brave.

Itauma, who remains undefeated in his 14 professional fights, is set to challenge Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title this Saturday at London's O2 Arena. If successful, he would become Britain's second-youngest world champion, trailing only Mike Tyson in the all-time rankings. His potential victory would also come in his 15th professional bout, one fight sooner than Anthony Joshua achieved his maiden world title.

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I think Tyson Fury was amazing for British boxing and what he achieved, what he did and brought to the game and how colourful he was as a personality. I think Joshua did an amazing job early in his career to win a world title and be an ambassador for British boxing. But I can't compare Moses. He is a million times better than them.

Hamed, known for his flamboyant style and impressive career, drew parallels between his own early career visualization and Itauma's focused ambition. "Winning a national title as an amateur aged 11 and then having in your head all the way through your amateur career that you'll be world champion at 21 - I visualised that. I think it's very much the same for Moses," Hamed stated. He expressed immense confidence in Itauma's future, asserting, "I'm so confident that Moses is going to be the heavyweight champion of the world. I'm so confident that he'll defend that belt for as long as he wants."

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Winning a national title as an amateur aged 11 and then having in your head all the way through your amateur career that you'll be world champion at 21 - I visualised that. I think it's very much the same for Moses.

While Hrgovic, a 34-year-old Olympic bronze medalist with only one loss, presents a formidable opponent on paper, Hamed dismisses the notion that the fight will be a significant challenge for Itauma. "On paper it's a test but I don't think the night that we watch it it will be a test," Hamed told BBC Sport. He believes Itauma's exceptional talent will shine through, leading to a dominant performance.

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I'm so confident that Moses is going to be the heavyweight champion of the world. I'm so confident that he'll defend that belt for as long as he wants.