Moses Itauma stuns Dillian Whyte with first-round knockout in Riyadh

Nigerian-born British heavyweight sensation, Moses Itauma, produced a career-defining performance on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, when he stopped veteran contender Dillian Whyte in under two minutes of the opening round of their scheduled 10-round clash.

The 19-year-old prospect, who has been touted as one of the brightest talents in heavyweight boxing, wasted no time after the opening bell, unleashing a barrage of sharp combinations that left Whyte unable to recover.

The referee stepped in to halt the contest, handing Itauma a statement victory against one of the division’s most seasoned fighters.

For Itauma, the emphatic win represents not only his biggest scalp to date but also a clear signal that he is ready to accelerate toward world-level opposition. The teenager, who has remained unbeaten since turning professional, has often been praised for his speed, power, and composure beyond his years — qualities that were on full display in Riyadh.

Whyte, a former WBC interim heavyweight champion and longtime contender who has shared the ring with the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Alexander Povetkin, was expected to provide a stern test of Itauma’s readiness for the upper echelons of the sport. Instead, the 36-year-old was overwhelmed almost immediately, raising fresh questions about his career prospects going forward.

The fight, staged as part of a blockbuster boxing card in Saudi Arabia’s growing sports hub, drew global attention given the experience gap between the pair.

While Whyte entered the bout with a reputation for toughness and knockout power, Itauma’s explosive start ensured the contest never got the chance to develop into a drawn-out battle.

With the victory, Itauma strengthens his claim as one of boxing’s fastest-rising stars and adds significant momentum to his young career. Promoters and fans alike will now be eager to see whether the teenager is moved swiftly into contention for regional or even world title opportunities in the near future.