Rising heavyweight boxer Moses Itauma says a recent visit to Nigeria has reshaped his sense of identity as he prepares for his next bout in Manchester. The 21-year-old, who fights under the British flag but was born in Slovakia to a Slovak mother and Nigerian father, travelled late last year to Akwa Ibom State, his father’s homeland. The trip, his first in over a decade, helped him reconnect with his African heritage and better understand his background. Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Itauma described the visit as deeply personal, saying it raised important questions about his identity, appearance, and mindset questions he believes are rooted in his family history.
The young boxer has previously spoken about experiencing racist abuse while growing up in Slovakia, an experience that shaped parts of his early life. He now says being in Nigeria gave him a strong sense of belonging that is difficult to put into words. Itauma is set to face American opponent Jermaine Franklin on March 28 in Manchester, a fight that marks another key step in the career of one of boxing’s most promising heavyweights.
