Rising heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma has built an impressive start to his boxing career with a perfect 13-0 record and 11 knockouts. However, a recent visit to Nigeria reshaped his understanding of identity and belonging. The 21-year-old, born in Slovakia to a Slovak mother and Nigerian father, said traveling to his father’s hometown in Akwa Ibom gave him a sense of pride he had rarely experienced elsewhere. Unlike his childhood in Slovakia, where recognition was absent and he faced racism, Itauma was embraced at Lagos Airport by strangers proud of his Nigerian roots. This reconnection comes as he prepares for a pivotal fight with Jermaine Franklin, revealing how heritage—not just athleticism—grounds him.
BBC
