Podcast Summary: Great Company with Jamie Laing

Episode: MOSES ITAUMA: I’m the Future Heavyweight Champion. This is How I’ll Do It

Release Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Great Company" features an in-depth interview with Moses Itauma, the undefeated British heavyweight boxing prospect (13-0, 11 KOs at time of recording). Host Jamie Laing dives into Moses’s personal journey from a challenging childhood to the brink of world-title contention. The conversation covers resilience, family, the sacrifices behind elite sport, the realities of boxing culture, and Moses's unique mentality and motivations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Ambition and Family Influence

Timestamps: 00:00 / 04:43 / 12:09 / 13:27 / 13:45 / 14:56 / 15:29

• Moses credits his parents — a tough Slovakian mother and proud Nigerian father — with instilling discipline and respect.
• Family has been a driving force: "My mother sacrificed a lot. She was very tough." (13:45)
• The decision to move from Slovakia to England stemmed from his mother wanting better opportunities for her children and to escape racism in Slovakia.
• Childhood circumstances were difficult: "There were nine of us in a two-bedroom house. There was rats, there was this, there was that." (14:38)

2. The Mentality of Success

Timestamps: 00:00 / 07:49 / 41:00 / 41:34

• Moses always viewed his success as inevitable: "I can’t work this hard and not be successful." (41:34)
• Early sacrifices included rigorous training before and after school, missing out on typical adolescent socialization.
• On handling people's perceptions of success: "It takes five years to become an overnight success. Overnight success doesn’t just happen overnight." (07:49)

3. The Boxing Path: Transitions and Challenges

Timestamps: 08:09 / 10:49 / 11:01 / 44:23 / 45:34

• Started boxing at 9, initially struggled, switched briefly to football but preferred the individual ownership in boxing.
  • "If I lose or if I win, I want it to be my fault." (09:05)
• Noted the big difference between amateur and professional boxing:
  • "Amateur boxing is a sport. Professional boxing is a fight." (11:01)
  • “You can’t sprint a marathon.” (11:23)
• Changed trainers proactively before his style plateaued: "I don’t want for me to break before I fix it. So I was like, let me fix it before it breaks." (11:51)
• Discussed the financial struggles of amateur boxing, including winning major titles for no pay and sustaining concussions: "I was a two-time national champion, two-time European gold medalist in the world and still ain’t got a single penny from boxing." (44:38)

4. Identity, Heritage, and Cultural Pride

Timestamps: 17:02 / 18:19 / 18:59 / 19:21

• Moses embraces both Slovak and Nigerian heritage but finds more warmth and pride in Nigeria:
  • “When I went to Nigeria, they treated me like crazy. The love I got there was crazy.” (19:36)
  • Reflects on Nigerian roots in boxing: "Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Joe Joyce, me, Okoli, React Paul, Deontay Wilder... these are all of Nigerian descent." (19:13)
• On Slovakia: “I don’t think they care about sports and athletes and music…they have a big importance of family.” (20:44)

5. Ego, Trash-Talking, and Mental Warfare

Timestamps: 20:51 / 21:13 / 21:29 / 21:50 / 25:33

• Moses doesn’t “trash talk” unless he means it, believing many do it mostly to sell tickets: "Some people are in boxing to sell tickets. Selling tickets obviously requires entertainment. Entertainment sometimes means trash talking and being somebody that you probably wouldn’t be if the cameras are off." (20:55)
• On egos in boxing: "Boxers are egotistical narcissists because you have to be." (21:29)
• Mind games and intimidation: Describes a staredown with Dillian Whyte, asking him to take his glasses off to "see if it’s a wolf or a sheep.” (25:13)

6. Training, Sacrifice, and Recovery

Timestamps: 27:02 / 28:06 / 32:36 / 32:49 / 33:01

• Typical training camp is 8–16 weeks, training twice daily except Saturdays.
• Discusses the grind of enduring training and fighting even while injured — “One of the hardest things about boxing is doing a sport while you’re injured.” (27:56)
• The importance of minute improvements ("the 1%"): “If you turn just three degrees… down the road it’s going to be a big difference.” (33:25)
• Preparation brings confidence: “Confidence is preparation.” (30:21)

7. Money, Career Trajectory, and Fame

Timestamps: 52:00 / 52:34 / 53:01

• Pay in boxing varies dramatically — top fighters may earn nine figures, but talent isn't everything ("You could be the best boxer in the world and still make no money if you’re not interesting" (53:02))
• Boxers need to market themselves, unlike footballers whose teams do it for them.

8. Adversity, Motivation, and Quitting

Timestamps: 44:21 / 45:34 / 46:34 / 47:43 / 48:03

• Moses admits almost quitting boxing during COVID after not being paid and sustaining concussions.
• His brother motivated him to return, paying him £1 per kilometer run: "I was running 10, 12, 15Ks a day, getting this money off my brother." (46:34)
• Came back, became European youth champion, then world amateur champion. "The moment where you’re about to give up is the moment that actually... you become successful." (48:03)

9. Mindset, Purpose, and Presence

Timestamps: 49:42 / 50:35 / 51:25 / 56:33 / 57:08

• Moses is big on being "present," both in boxing and life: “You’re always going to be more successful or better at something if you’re more present.” (49:51)
• No longer motivated by money or legacy:
  • "If you’re doing it for the money... once you get your money, it’s no longer going to excite you." (42:18)
  • "I just enjoy doing it, actually. I don't enjoy doing it. I, I have to do it because I don't feel okay myself if I don't." (56:58)
• On legacy: “If you keep looking back at your legacy, there’s just stuff that you’d wish you’d rather changed… so I’d rather want to take things from what I’ve done and try to install it in other people rather than just appreciating it.” (57:26)

10. Health Fears and Long-Term Worries

Timestamps: 45:55 / 56:32

• Moses has suffered multiple concussions and worries about long-term brain health:
  • “It’s one of my biggest fears. What’s the whole point of having all this money, wanting this fame, if you can't remember your name?” (56:33)
• Annual brain scans are required for boxers, but current technology can only monitor function, not accumulated damage.

11. Friendship and Relationships

Timestamps: 35:57 / 36:00 / 37:19 / 37:59 / 40:12

• Career success has led to friendships evolving: the close ones remain, others fade.
  • “Them sort of friends just kind of fade off, and they just become just people, just a memory. And then relationships you do have substance with become more clear.” (36:28)
• Family and true friends, like his mate "Gidz," are constant despite time apart.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Destiny:
  “I can't work this hard and not be successful.” — Moses Itauma [41:34]

• On the cost of boxing:
  “I was a two-time national champion, two-time European gold medalist... and still ain’t got a single penny from boxing.” — Moses Itauma [44:38]

• On mind games:
  “I told him to take his glasses off because I wanted to see his eyes. I said, I want to see if it’s a wolf or a sheep.” — Moses Itauma, describing a face-off [25:13]

• On presence:
  “You’re always going to be more successful or be better at something if you’re more present.” — Moses Itauma [49:51]

• On Self-Motivation:
  “If I don’t, I feel… I don’t feel good in myself.” — Moses Itauma on why he MUST box [42:27, 56:58]

• On his unique approach:
  “They can’t compare me to anyone. So that means I’m unique.” — Moses Itauma [67:05]

• On priorities and relationships:
  “The train’s got to keep moving.” — Moses Itauma [40:47]

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• Origin Story / Family & Immigration: 12:09 – 15:29
• Difference between Amateur & Pro Boxing: 10:49 – 11:24
• On Training and Preparation: 27:02 – 33:15
• Adversity & Quitting (COVID, Injuries): 44:21 – 48:03
• On Money & Marketing in Boxing: 52:00 – 53:56
• Concerns about Brain Health: 56:06 – 56:33
• Legacy, Success, and Mindset: 56:46 – 58:19
• Quick-Fire Personal Questions: 61:11 – 67:47

Tone and Language

• Jamie Laing’s tone is upbeat, friendly, and deeply curious; Moses comes across as humble, direct, insightful, and authentic, using real-life examples and unvarnished reflections throughout.
• The conversation naturally alternates between raw honesty (discussing vulnerabilities, fear, and sacrifices) and dry humor (his love of burgers, anecdotes about Nigeria).

Summary

This episode offers a captivating insight into the mindset and experience of one of boxing’s brightest young stars. Moses Itauma’s story is one of resilience, family loyalty, and relentless dedication. The episode stands out for its honest take on the unseen side of boxing: the financial uncertainty, mental and physical toll, and the need for self-driven motivation. Moses’s unique, grounded wisdom and sense of purpose make this a must-listen for anyone interested in sports, self-improvement, or inspiring personal journeys.