Damon Martin is a veteran journalist and insider covering combat sports since 2003.
19-year-old prospect Moses Itauma remained undefeated with a devastating first-round knockout over Demsey McKean in the co-main event leading to Usyk vs. Fury 2 on Saturday.
The teenage heavyweight has been nothing short of impressive on his way to 11-0 with his latest performance arguably among his best. Itauma ultimately scored a pair of knockdowns with a crushing left hook ending McKean's night in violent fashion after the punch crushed the Australian on the jaw and sent him crashing to the canvas.
Despite his best efforts to get up again, McKean was barely able to return to his feet as he leaned against the ropes for support and the referee waved off the fight. The end came at 1:57 in the first round.
There's been a lot of hype surrounding Itauma as potentially the future of the heavyweight division and he did nothing to dissuade those predictions with his performance on Saturday.
From the first exchange, Itauma showed poise, patience, speed and accuracy as he set up his punches including a well-timed overhand shot that clipped McKean on the head and set him stumbling to the canvas for the first time.
While he was able to recover momentarily, Itauma clearly smelled blood in the water as he went for the kill just moments later.
That's when he jabbed to the body with a right and then came back with the left hook that put McKean down and out for the final time.
Now 11-0 in his career, Itauma seems like a serious threat to the rest of the heavyweight division and he'll look to keep this momentum going when he returns in 2025.