Whyte Fight Prep: Itauma's Drawers Dilemma and Struggles with Hobbies

Heavyweight Contender Moses Itauma Explains His 'Drawers Dilemma'

As Britain's most anticipated young heavyweight prospect, Moses Itauma faces a pivotal test against veteran Dillian Whyte this Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. Ahead of the highly anticipated bout, the 20-year-old Kent fighter has revealed an unexpected aspect of his meticulous training camp regimen: the conspicuous absence of drawers in his accommodation.

Itauma, who boasts a perfect professional record of 12-0 (10 KOs), explained his minimalist approach to his camp house setup. "It's not that I don't like drawers!" Itauma clarified, laughing at the notion. "But I've been in that camp house for a long time and like to maximise my space." He further elaborated, noting his preference for utilising bags to store his clothes and personal items, a method he employs to ensure he can pack quickly if needed. "I keep my clothes in the wardrobe, my boxers and socks and underwear in one bag, and I have another bag with all my bits and pieces that you would usually keep in a drawer," he stated. The lightweight fighter acknowledged his substantial size as a contributing factor, adding, "I'm a big guy and the bedroom in that camp house is small, so I need all the space I can get."

While seemingly picky, Itauma firmly denies harbouring a phobia against drawers, asserting he has them at home. His camp house, however, reflects a preference for a clutter-free environment and practical storage solutions. "I don't have a fear or phobia of drawers," he insisted, dismissing the idea that his possessions are kept in sport bags out of anxiety. "It's just a silly thing, but I keep smashing my phone on stuff," offering that as a humorous alternative explanation.

Beyond his peculiar storage habits, Itauma also touched upon his efforts to cultivate a new hobby during his spare time in preparation for the fight. The naturally gifted boxer, often compared to legends like Mike Tyson, has sought to broaden his horizons away from the intensity of training. However, he admits finding it challenging to discover activities that truly capture his interest. "I am rubbish at bowling at the minute," he confessed regarding his attempts at the sport. "I don't know what's going wrong; I think they changed the lanes down at the alley." He also mentioned trying golf, describing himself as "trash" at it, before concluding his search for engaging pastimes.

Despite the focus on preparation, Itauma offered a brief insight into behind-the-scenes moments. He mentioned his camp house garden, stating, "We have a garden but don't use it to play football or have barbecues. We hang the washing out there on a little drying rack but that's about it." Reflecting on potential media portrayals, he added, "Now that I think about it, we don't really look OK in that video. I was trying to show a different side to me!"

Though not one to shy away from the spotlight, Itauma downplays the trash talk often associated with the sport. As he looks to add a world title victory to his resume against the experienced Whyte, the champion of Britain continues to reveal the unique details that shape his journey to stardom.