Devastating Moses Itauma obliterates Demsey McKean in a round

The burgeoning reputation of Moses Itauma continued to expand with a devastating first-round stoppage of Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean.

Itauma, just 19, elevated his record to 11-0 (9 KOs) while McKean fell spectacularly to 22-2 (14 KOs).

Not long after the all-southpaw fight started in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, you could see Itauma was prodding to the body, trying to coax McKean to lower his hands. It didn’t take long before Itauma launched in a huge overhand left that landed high on the top of the head and McKean sank to the canvas. The Australian rose but was on rubbery legs, and as Itauma made his way back towards him, the Ben Davison-trained Itauma threw over an even bigger left hand. McKean crumpled in a heap, with his supporting foot facing in the opposite direction to the rest of his body.

Doctors ran in to tend to him, and fortunately McKean made it back to his feet for the decision to be rendered.

Time of the stoppage was 1 minute, 57 seconds.

Itauma was incredibly impressive. He didn’t break a sweat. McKean’s only other loss was a 12th-round stoppage defeat to Croatia's Filip Hrgovic in his previous fight last August. Promoter Frank Warren is doing an impeccable job with the young star, who will surely challenge for Prospect of the Year honors.