Mike Tyson’s Youngest Heavyweight Record Holds — Patterson vs Itauma Debate Ignites

Rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma might problem Kubrat Pulev for the WBA Common title in December 2025, aiming to interrupt Mike Tyson’s youngest heavyweight report and spark a debate over Floyd Patterson’s legacy.

The WBA has ordered Kubrat Pulev to defend his secondary crown towards Itauma, opening the door for a doubtlessly vital achievement by the rising British star — if negotiations succeed.

The bout, presumably slated for December 13, 2025, in Manchester, might see Itauma headline Derek Chisora’s farewell card if promoter Frank Warren can strike a cope with Pulev and Epic Sports activities.

But even when Itauma secures the WBA Common heavyweight belt two weeks earlier than his twenty first birthday, the feat could also be contentious. Pulev is a secondary champion, a title many followers and media view as diluted because of the WBA’s long-standing apply of recognizing a number of champions in a single division.

Historical past means that the talk over whether or not Itauma’s achievement matches the legitimacy of previous heavyweight legends is inevitable.

Don King vs. Epic Sports activities: Pulev vs. Hunter Fallout

So, why are we right here?

Promoter Don King had insisted that his beforehand introduced bout between Kubrat Pulev and Michael Hunter on October 4 at On line casino Miami would proceed. King vowed to take authorized motion towards any social gathering making an attempt to dam the struggle, regardless of Hunter claiming free-agent standing and exploring a match towards Jarrell Miller throughout Canelo vs. Crawford struggle week.

“They’re making an attempt to destroy Michael Hunter’s profession,” King stated. “Epic Sports activities continues to unfold lies and false statements. This struggle will go on!”

In the meantime, Pulev’s staff at Epic Sports activities has solid doubt on the bout’s feasibility, highlighting the rising promoter conflicts in heavyweight boxing. Epic Sports activities said:

“Following the latest affirmation of Hunter’s struggle towards Jarrell Miller, and the persevering with authorized dispute with Don King Productions, the WBA has rescinded the purse bid award. Pulev is not obligated to face Hunter and is cleared to make his first title protection towards any ranked WBA contender voluntarily.”

King maintains his legendary popularity for preventing for his fighters’ rights, emphasizing the bout is way from over, regardless of Pulev’s staff signaling they could pursue one other path.

The authorized battle should still have implications for whether or not Moses Itauma will get his crack, however even when he does, it’ll open one other can of worms.

Leigh Dawney

Moses Itauma’s File Alternative

Itauma, who started his professional profession in 2023, initially sought to surpass Mike Tyson’s report because the youngest heavyweight champion, however ran out of time. Nevertheless, with Pulev holding the secondary WBA title, any subsequent victory after the elapsed report try would spark debate over whether or not the accomplishment deserves historic comparability.

If Itauma wins the WBA Common title, he can be youthful than Floyd Patterson, who captured the NBA/NYSAC crown at 21 years, 10 months, 26 days. Critics will argue that Pulev’s title lacks the status of Tyson’s or Patterson’s period.

It’s not Itauma’s fault; that’s simply the best way it goes when secondary titles muddy the waters.

Understanding the WBA Common Heavyweight Title

The WBA Common heavyweight title has a turbulent and controversial historical past. Since its inception in 2011, it has sparked confusion amongst followers and boxers alike.

Key milestones:

2011: Alexander Povetkin vs. Ruslan Chagaev sanctioned for the inaugural Common title

2013: WBA allowed Wladimir Klitschko to unify belts whereas concurrently conserving Common titleholders in play

Subsequent years: Interim titles, authorized wrangles, and a number of champions diluted the championship

WBN has constantly reported on the WBA’s chaotic strategy. The WBA abolished interim titles solely after allegations of biased judging surfaced, but secondary and Common titles persist, complicated historic comparability and fan notion.

Mike Tyson young — @miketyson [edited by WBN]

Youngest Heavyweight Champions

For perspective, here’s a record of the youngest heavyweight champions.

Itauma’s theoretical declare to the WBA Common title at 21 years would surpass Patterson’s age report, but it surely stays controversial because of the WBA’s ongoing apply of twin champions.

Why the Debate Issues

The heavyweight division has lengthy been a mixture of athletic achievement and sanctioning confusion, with a number of belts, authorized disputes, and promoter rivalries clouding historic legitimacy.

Present WBA Champions (October 2025):

Tremendous Champion: Oleksandr Usyk

Common Champion: Kubrat Pulev

Gold Champion: Michael Hunter

The controversy over Itauma’s report is greater than statistics — it’s about credibility. Can a secondary title legitimately rewrite historical past? WBN contends the reply is way from simple.

If negotiations succeed, Itauma might headline Manchester on December 13, 2025, with Chisora dropping all the way down to co-main, making a possible splash within the heavyweight scene.

Even so, purists will query the achievement resulting from Pulev’s standing, the WBA’s fractured championship construction, and the controversial lineage of the Common belt.

For followers, the state of affairs represents each alternative and historic ambiguity, reinforcing why the heavyweight division stays boxing’s most dramatic and debated class.

Concerning the Creator

Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of expertise protecting the worldwide struggle scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s largest nights.

[View all articles by Phil Jay] and study extra about his work in fight sports activities journalism.