

FILE – Britain’s Moses Itauma, center, celebrates after beating Australia’s Demsey McKean in their heavyweight boxing fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Moses Itauma cemented his status as a heavyweight title contender by scoring a first-round knockout over Dillian Whyte on Saturday.
Just 20 years old, Itauma unloaded on the veteran Whyte and dropped him with a right hook before casually walking to the neutral corner while the referee counted.
READ: Rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma faces toughest test
Whyte staggered as he got to his feet, and the referee waved it off with 63 seconds remaining in the opening round.
Itauma improved to 13-0 and all 11 of his stoppages have come in either the first or second round.
Whyte (31-4, 21 KOs) was seen as Itauma’s best opponent to date, as the 37-year-old Londoner has shared the ring with the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.