Moses Itauma has revealed one of the more awkward moments of his rising boxing career, an uncomfortable run-in with a fan on public transport, as he gears up for Saturday’s high-stakes clash with Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia.
The 20-year-old heavyweight prospect from Kent used to spend hours each day travelling to Ben Davison’s gym in Harlow, a punishing three-hour round trip that regularly saw him stuck in Dartford Crossing traffic.
In the early stages of his 12-fight unbeaten career, Itauma often resorted to the train or Underground to ensure he could make his destination.
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But after a string of odd encounters during those commutes, the young fighter decided enough was enough.
Moses Itauma has revealed one of the more awkward moments of his rising boxing career, an uncomfortable run-in with a fan on public transport, as he gears up for Saturday’s high-stakes clash with Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia
|GETTY
These days, he rents a local house for his 16-week training camps, avoiding both the M25 gridlock and London’s unpredictable rail journeys.
“This is my third fight in the camp house because travelling from Kent to Harlow every day was a killer – especially the Dartford crossing,” Itauma told The Sun.
“The amount of times I drove there and ended up just leaving my car and getting the train home was a joke.
These days, he rents a local house for his 16-week training camps, avoiding both the M25 gridlock and London’s unpredictable rail journeys.
“This is my third fight in the camp house because travelling from Kent to Harlow every day was a killer – especially the Dartford crossing,” Itauma told The Sun.
“The amount of times I drove there and ended up just leaving my car and getting the train home was a joke.
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Moses Itauma, 20, will tackle a man 17 years his senior when he faces Dillian Whyte in Riyadh on Saturday night
|GETTY
“I was on a train, looking at my phone, minding my own business,” he said.
“Some guy came over, sat next to me and whispered: ‘If you take a selfie with me, I won’t tell everyone on here who you are.’
“Then the guy opposite said: ‘We all know who he is, mate, but we’re just trying to leave him alone!’”
The young heavyweight, who has been immersed in boxing for over a decade, says the exchange left him unsettled.
“It made me feel uncomfortable,” he admitted.
“And then the first bloke asked me why ‘someone like me’ was even getting a train. I did the selfie with him, though, and I signed his phone for him.
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Moses Itauma has already achieved plenty during the course of his boxing career so far
|PA
“The train is so handy to beat the traffic around London, but I’m not even sure I can do that anymore. I’ve never denied anyone a picture, because I know and appreciate they might never see me – or anyone else famous – ever again.
“But there are ways to go about things, and I always like to be respectful.”
Itauma faces Whyte, 17 years his senior, in Riyadh this weekend - and while the threat of the veteran’s trademark left hook doesn’t seem to rattle him, it’s clear unwanted attention on a commuter train is a different story.