Kent teachers recall boxer’s determination, ahead of Moses Itauma’s world title fight
“You always knew this day would come”: Kent boxer Moses Itauma backed by former PE teachers
Image by Queensberry
Moses Itauma’s former PE teachers have spoken of his early determination and talent, as they joined the chorus of Medway voices backing him in his first heavyweight title bid.
This weekend the 21-year-old rising boxing star from Chatham takes on Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic, in a battle for the IBF heavyweight world title at the O2 Arena in London.
Moses is fast becoming a firm favourite around Medway and the rest of the UK, after a rapid ascent that’s seen him rack up 14 victories without loss, defeating big names such as Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin.
His rise might seem meteoric to the outside world, but for those who have known him from an early age it’s been a long time in the making, and among those watching proudly on Saturday night will be former PE teachers, who saw Moses’ early talent at Greenacre Academy in Chatham - now part of The Walderslade & Greenacre Schools Partnership.
“I wanted to say good luck to you,” said former teacher Jack Gearey, speaking in a video of support alongside various Medway contributors. “I think you always knew this day would come despite me always trying to get you into loads of different sports – be it rugby by just giving you the ball to try and help us score, or playing you up front for Greenacre in the Kent Cup Final - but you always knew what you wanted. You’ve been amazing. There have been ups and downs but you always had this clear goal, so good luck, hope it all goes well, I’m sure it will. Go get 'em."
Fellow PE teacher Sam Prescott added: “If you hadn’t been a boxer, maybe you’d be a really good discus thrower, 800m (runner) maybe. I’m really proud of everything you’re doing, supporting Medway and doing a great job.
“Good luck young man and I wish you all the best.”
A host of other voices to add their support included Medway Council leader Vince Maple, who added: “Everyone’s behind you Moses, we know you’ve got this, bring that world heavyweight championship back to Medway and make us so proud to be Medway. Good luck for Saturday.”
Louise Campbell, headteacher of Walderslade and Greenacre Schools Partnership, said Moses had huge support amongst pupils at the school.
“Wishing you the best of luck Moses, you’re going to smash it,” she said. “We appreciate everything you’ve done for this community so we’re all behind you. We look forward to seeing you come and visit us again soon. The students here are absolutely championing you. All the staff will be watching – I know a few are coming to attend to see you as well, so go get ‘em, come back with that title, smash it, you’ll be amazing.”
Elsewhere in Medway the excitement is growing among sports fans, not least at Chatham Town FC, where the event will be shown on a big screen - and where general manager Gary Hake also added his support.
“Moses, a quick message from everybody at the football club and the surrounding community,” he said. “We just want you to know how fiercely proud we are of you, not only of what you’ve achieved but what you’re about to achieve as well and take the world by storm.
“Everybody here is talking about you. You’ve given the whole town an absolutely massive lift and we couldn’t be more proud of you, so well done, congratulations. Everybody is behind you and we are wishing you the best of luck in what you’re about to achieve.”
Should Moses win the IBF World Championship on Saturday it will cement his place as one of the biggest names in the boxing world, but it’s just the start of his story.
A win would potentially open doors to further world title fights for the sport’s other major belts – and the ultimate prospect of becoming an undisputed world champion – but the path to glory in the boxing world is notoriously tough. Whatever lies ahead for Moses, the whole of Medway will be behind him every step of the way.
Image by Queensberry
