MOSES ITAUMA is using an ancient military strategy book to sharpen his mind ahead of the biggest test of his career.
The 21-year-old heavyweight will face Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday in his first world title fight.
Itauma has raced through the early stages of his professional career, winning 13 of his 14 fights by stoppage and never being taken beyond the sixth round.
But his brother Karol believes the youngster’s maturity outside the ring has been just as important to his rapid rise.
Itauma has recently developed a passion for reading, including Sun Tzu’s 2,500-year-old military classic The Art of War.
Karol said on SunSport’s No Glove Lost panel: “He only got into that proper reading recently.
“More like how the mind works and stuff like that. Yeah, so Sun Tzu, The Art of War and stuff like that. So more like mental.
“He got it probably from his older brother. He reads a lot.”
A victory would put Itauma on the brink of history, with the Chatham fighter having the opportunity to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion ever.
Only Mike Tyson, who claimed the crown aged 20 in 1986, has achieved that feat at a younger age.
Hrgovic will provide a significant test, however. The Croatian has 21 professional bouts under his belt and has suffered just one defeat, against Daniel Dubois.
Itauma has previously identified Hrgovic as an opponent he wanted to face, and Karol revealed the Croatian has been on their radar for some time.
He said: “He even wanted Hrgovic before he wanted Jermaine Franklin. So he’s kind of always been on the team’s radar.
“This is the next step up, for sure. So I’m confident in him, and by the grace of God, it’s going to be a spectacular performance.”
