MOSES ITAUMA aims to emulate Mike Tyson by conquering the heavyweight division while avoiding the hazards of early stardom that contributed to his downfall.

Comparisons between the two will be reinforced if Itauma wins the IBF title vacated by Oleksandr Usyk in just his 15th fight, when he faces Filip Hrgovic in London tomorrow.

Victory would make the explosive 21-year-old from Kent the second youngest heavyweight world champion in history behind Tyson, who dethroned Trevor Berbick to seize the WBC belt at the age of 20 four decades ago.

Tyson went on to unify the division but his career spiralled into disgrace following a series of controversies inside and outside the ring that included criminal convictions.

Itauma is still coming to terms with his own growing profile as he closes in on one of sport’s greatest prizes and has turned to books such as Sun Tzu’s Art of War and Relentless by Tim Grover for guidance.

“I’ve always wanted to start off like Mike Tyson but don’t end up how Mike Tyson ended up,” Itauma said.

“But now I’m in the shoes that Mike Tyson was, as in all the fame and accolades at such a young age, I’m starting to see and realise why he fell off the way he did. I just don’t want to make the same mistakes he made.

“I’m wrapping my head around these things and I guess that’s why I’m so heavily into books because I ain’t never been in this position before.

“There is such thing as too early, but I’m taking necessary precautions to handle it the way I believe I should.”

Referencing his face adorning London buses in the build up to tomorrow’s collision, he continued: “Apparently I’m Moses Itauma, the man on the bus. Am I comfortable with it? I don’t have a choice.

“The fight has got to be promoted and I’ve just got to do the fighting. Although it’s nice to see, it’s not really for me.

“I’ve been boxing for over 10, 11 years, but never have I ever been in a position where my face is all over the UK and people are recognising me at places where I don’t want to be recognised.

“I might just want to be left alone, so coping with that takes a certain degree of mental toughness.”

Promoter Frank Warren is backing Itauma to become an “icon” and believes he has the maturity to handle the acclaim that will follow should he fulfil his potential.

Hrgovic is determined to derail the hype train, however, after noting he has been cast as the support act for an event billed as “Witness History” in reference to Itauma being on the brink of becoming the Britain’s youngest ever heavyweight champion.

“It’s a lot of pressure on him and maybe he’ll crack under that pressure — we’ll see,” said the 34-year-old Croat, who is by far the toughest opponent faced by Itauma.

“Promoters and everyone want him to become the next star and they’re already making a celebration party. I’m invited here to lose.

“A lot of people write me off, but I have other plans.”