Moses Itauma produced another devastating performance to claim his first professional boxing title.

The Chatham heavyweight was part of the warm-up for the undisputed clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.

Itauma picked up the vacant WBO inter-continental heavyweight title with an explosive second-round stoppage against Ilja Mezencev.

It’s a win that moved Itauma to 9-0 and led to more plaudits for the rising boxing star.

David Haye was the latest former world champion to compliment the 19-year-old after watching his win from ringside.

Haye, speaking to TNT Sports, said: “I’ve just seen a future world champion - someone that showed all the attributes you need.

“To be in the position physically at 19, skills, not taking any unnecessary shots, the punch-power, that’s what you want to see in a future champ.

“He is right up there, doing everything he needs to do, he has a great coach, a good team, that’s really important, to have a team around you guiding you, with the promotion around you. Live healthy, live clean and just focus on the prize.”

Itauma admitted Haye was one of his favourite cruiserweights, ever and added: “For him to say that, I am over the moon, any praise I get from people who have paved the way for me I appreciate. I take it in and I always listen.”

Reacting to the latest win, he said: “I think it went alright! That was my first title fight - the first of many and I am just happy!”

His opponent had gone down at the end of the first round - adjudged a push - but it gave Itauma the confidence to attack Mezencev again at the start of the second, landing a huge shot to send the Kazakh-born fighter to the canvas.

“I just go in and do my job - I am very grateful for this,” he declared afterwards.

“I appreciate it and a shout out to the people who have helped me, Frank Warren, Francis Warren, his excellency Turki Alalshikh, and to be in the beautiful country of Saudi Arabia, I can’t ask for more.

“Hopefully we can come back again with another statement, whether that’s London or Saudi Arabia, I am always grateful.”

Facing Itauma on Saturday night was an opponent who had won 25 of his own 30 professional bouts, 21 by way of knock-out, but was no match for the Kent man. Even Liam Gallagher was in awe of him on social media post-fight.

Itauma’s manager Francis Warren said: “I saw composure in the first round, every time he fights he looks more mature, he looks like he is learning new things and executing them perfectly.

“The guy’s so dedicated and what you see on fight night is just the end result of absolute graft. He is a consummate professional.”

It was the first fight for Itauma working under trainer Ben Davison, who also looks after Anthony Joshua.

Davison said: “I’m really pleased (with the performance). It’s only been four or five weeks of work but he was an extreme talent before we started working with him.

“We are extremely excited for the future. It is going to be a special one.

“We have to take it step by step. I know it is fantastic when they knock them out and it’s great for the promotion but nothing can beat experience and him getting some rounds under the lights.”

Itauma had knocked out his previous four opponents inside the first round. This one was timed at 50 seconds into the second round.

He carries with him the added pressure of wanting to be heavyweight world champion quicker than Mike Tyson. He’s got another year left to accomplish it.

Asked if it was still achievable, he said: “Now I have this belt - 100%.”