RIYADH: Rising British boxing talent Moses Itauma lit up Riyadh this on Saturday night with a stunning performance, dispatching veteran Dillian Whyte in under a minute.
Itauma ended the heavyweight clash in just 50 seconds of the opening round, unleashing a relentless barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the contest and declare him winner by knockout.
The bout, which began with the Saudi national anthem, was staged at anb Arena as part of the Esports World Cup, and drew a packed crowd who witnessed one of the year’s most anticipated heavyweight showdowns.
Despite the difference in experience, Itauma showed supreme confidence and dominance from the opening bell, proving his ability to stand among the sport’s elite. Whyte, meanwhile, struggled with Itauma’s speed and pressure, unable to regain control before the stoppage.
Moses Itauma in action against Dillian Whyte at the ANB Arena in Riyadh on Aug. 16, 2025. (Reuters)
With this emphatic victory, Itauma continues to build on his undefeated record, underlining his status as one of the most exciting young stars in global boxing. For Whyte, the loss marks a difficult chapter in his career.
The evening opened with a thrilling performance from Saudi boxer Mohammed Alakel, who secured a first-round knockout victory against Younam Santosh Singh, registering the fifth win of his professional career.
In the second fight, featherweight standout Raymond Ford claimed a unanimous decision victory over Abraham Nova, signaling his return to championship contention with a composed and balanced display throughout the bout.
The third contest brought together Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic and Britain’s David Adeleye in a ten-round battle described as one of the greatest recent heavyweight clashes. Despite Adeleye’s power and resilience, Hrgovic’s experience proved decisive as he secured a unanimous decision after a dramatic encounter filled with knockdowns and relentless action until the final bell.
In the fourth fight, Japan’s Hayato Tsutsumi delivered a spectacular performance, flooring Britain’s Qais Ashfaq in the second round before sealing a knockout victory early in the third, maintaining his undefeated record.
The excitement continued in the fifth bout as Britain’s Nick Ball retained his WBA featherweight title after a grueling 12-round battle with Sam Goodman, remaining the only reigning male world champion from Great Britain.
The Esports World Cup, hosted in Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24, features more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs, with total prize money of $70m, offering a unique blend of digital entertainment and live combat sports.
