Nelson Hysa in agreement with Filip Hrgovic regarding journey of Moses Itauma
Heavyweight contender Nelson Hysa agrees with Filip Hrgovic, that Moses Itauma’s boxing path has been easier because he lives in England.
Hysa fights on the undercard at the O2 Arena on Saturday night, with the 24-0 heavyweight contender facing the 14-0 Thomas Narmo.
Albania’s Hysa told Boxing Scene about his journey through the ranks.
“My uncles and every one of my family – we are a big family in Albania, in Shkodra – boxing was every time present in my family. My uncle on my dad’s side was a very good champion in Albania. And the gloves were always there. I was trying to do every sport. And to be honest, I was good in basketball and in many sports, but my heart will always there [with wanting to try boxing]. I was pushing my family, ‘Please let me go. Let me go.’
“And, after, they let me go. And I remember that the first day I was, I go there very emotional and when I go out from the first training, I say, ‘Listen, this is my sport. I love this sport. So I will be here.’ I go to my dad and say, ‘Listen, daddy, please don’t push me out.
‘I need to be here. I love this sport.’”
Hysa went on to claim 22 Albanian titles and fought in the European and World amateur championships before setting his sights on the pros.
“It’s not easy, here in our country is very hard to do a professional matches because we don’t have television. We don’t have sponsors. We don’t have nothing,” he Hysa added. “So it was a family helping me to find money to go to training, to go in training camp, for the opponents, for everything that we need, the shows. We don’t have television. It’s very hard. You can see one boxer here that is very easy. He do very easy. He go, for example, to Queensberry and they sign. If he’s good, he signed, you know, they have everything ready.
“This time [for his fight this weekend] I come here, I’m in hotel. I don’t think for nothing.
“I don’t think [of] oopponent. I only think to win my match. But when we [fight] in Albania, we want to think for ring, for, for lights, for everything, because nobody [takes] cares of this for us. It’s very hard. We come here from very, very hard road; from very, very hard things. And we come here.”
Hysa was then asked whether he agreed with Hrgovic’s statement that Itauma had been spoiled and given the golden child treatment.
His response was emphatic.
“I say this before, Hrgovic also is from Balkan for us is very hard. The road is very hard. It’s true. What Hrgovic say, it’s very true. It’s a hundred percent. I am with him a hundred percent, but Hrgovic have a big fight this time.”
With that, Hysa’s face became more serious.
“Moses is no joke. Moses is a very good. He’s a very good boxer,” Hysa added.
“I need to say the truth. Moses. He’s man. He’s a very good boxer. Trust me. It will be a war.”
