As a highly touted heavyweight prospect, Leo Atang is under intense scrutiny. Moses Itauma, who turned pro as a teenager, has swiftly established himself as a top contender at just 21 years old, setting a high bar for others to follow.
However, Atang is keen to forge his own path, rather than emulate Itauma's rapid rise. At just 19, Atang is preparing for his sixth professional fight in Liverpool, boasting a 100 percent knockout ratio. Despite his impressive start, he is aware that his progression will be unique and refuses to be compared to Itauma.
"I'm not trying to be the next Moses Itauma, I'm going to be myself," Atang stated. "Everyone moves at different speeds, and I'll plot my own course to the top of the heavyweight division." A potential showdown with Itauma is inevitable, but Atang is in no rush, preferring to focus on building his reputation and letting their eventual meeting unfold naturally. "When the time's right, it'll be a massive fight," he said.
Atang feels that he has faced greater pressure due to Itauma's trailblazing success, which has created lofty expectations. "I've almost got to do it in his shadow, I've got to live up to what he's done," Atang admitted.
As he continues to develop, Atang is focused on gradually working his way into the championship picture, with the ultimate goal of claiming a world title. "I know I'm on the right path, and I'm at the right pace," he said. "When it's time to step up, my team will let me know. I'm grounded enough to know I'm not ready to call out big names yet, but when the time comes, it'll be exciting to get into some big fights in the heavyweight division."