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Whatever the truth, the country’s “energy” certainly left its mark on the young fighter.<\/p>\n
“I’m not saying it’s a competition because every country is unique, but when I came back from Nigeria I needed a rest for four or five days, just stayed in bed,” said the Commonwealth champion.<\/p>\n
And the man who one day hopes to be world champion has a final story to tell to highlight his identity struggle, one linked to his time growing up in Chatham in south-east England following his move from Slovakia.<\/p>\n
“I asked my secondary school teacher, what is it like to be black in Kent?<\/p>\n
“He said, the thing is that being in this country [United Kingdom], take Anthony Joshua for example.<\/p>\n
“When he’s doing well, when he won the Olympic gold medal, when he won the world titles, he was British. He was ours. As soon as he lost that fight, he’s the Nigerian boxer.<\/p>\n
“Whereas, if you go to Nigeria, he’s loved. No matter if he won, lost, drew, whatever, he’s still loved.<\/p>\n
“I think Nigerian boxers are seeing that and they want to reconnect or rekindle back with the motherland.”<\/p>\n
Beat Jermaine Franklin this month and a world title shot will not be far away. Win that and Moses Itauma will likely find plenty of Nigerian support in his corner.<\/p>\n
With additional reporting from Isaiah Akinremi in Lagos.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n