Mike Balogun vs Moses Itauma Preview May 24th, 2024
Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma of Slovakia returns to the ring on Saturday, May 24th when he meets Mike Balogun of America. The 10-rounder from Glasgow, Scotland can be seen live on DAZN in most nations. Itauma last fought in December when he halted Demsey McKean in just 117 seconds. In his previous bout two months earlier he halted Mariusz Wach in the second round to defend his WBO Inter-Continental Title. Balogun last boxed in March, 2024 when he beat Lamont Capers by an eight-round unanimous decision.
Balogun vs Itauma Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Mike Balogun +1316
- Moses Itauma -3300
My Pick
The 41-year-old Balogun is a former football player for the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and Virginia Destroyers. He made his pro boxing debut in 2014 and has racked up a fine record of 21-1 with 16 Ko’s since then. He’s a southpaw who stands 6-feet-1-inch tall but unfortunately has an unlisted reach. As far as power is concerned, he has plenty of it as 76.2 of his wins have come by stoppage including six of his past seven.
Balogun’ lone defeat in the pro ranks came at the hands of former world champion Murat Gassiev in March, 2023 when he was stopped in the second round after taking a huge leap in class. Balogun has fought at the domestic level during his career with wins against boxers such as Grover Young, Danny Calhoun, Ed fountain, Mike Bissett, Keith Barr, Marcus Oliveira and Sergio Marin. He also stopped Rey Lippe, the son of Tommy Morrison, in the first round in December, 2021.
Itauma is just 20 years old and climbs through the ropes with a perfect mark of 11-0 with 9 Ko’s and has boxed just 23 rounds since making his pro debut in January, 2023. Itauma, who is the brother of boxer Karol Itauma, was also reportedly unbeaten as an amateur as he went 24-0 with 11 Ko’s. He captured gold medals at the schoolboy, junior, Youth European and the Heavyweight Youth World levels. He stands just over 6-feet-2-inches tall and reportedly has a 78.5-inch reach, so is 1.5-inches taller than Balogun.
When it comes to power, Itauma is at the elite level as his current knockout ratio kicks in at 81.8 per cent. The only two opponents who went the distance with him were Kevin Espindola and Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko, who both went six rounds with him in consecutive bouts in April and July of last year. His second-round TKO over Ilja Mezencev was for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Belt. Seven of his 11 opponents have had winning records and Itauma hopes to eventually break Mike Tyson’s record as becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history.
Prediction…
Balogun is an aging but pretty durable heavyweight who has never fought a contender and is 21 years older than Itauma. If he’s at his best he could give Itauma a bit of bother for a couple of rounds but the best bet here is to go with Itauma to stop him before the 10-rounds are up.
Itauma is 21 years younger with more power.
Play Itauma -3300 @ BetOnline.ag
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Mike balogun betting • Moses Ituama betting