How rapper 50 Cent inspired Moses Itauma to read a 2,500-Year-Old military book fuelling his blossoming boxing career

RAPPER 50 Cent inspired Moses Itauma’s love of reading and has helped the boxing sensation improve his mental discipline away from the ring. On Saturday, Itauma, 21, will face off against experienced Croat Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena and bid to become the second youngest world heavyweight champion of all-time. Moses Itauma has found reading has helped him maintain focus in his boxing career Credit: Steve Welsh/PA Wire Rapper 50 Cent inspired Itauma’s love for literature Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage The rapper’s memoir Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter was a book Itauma couldn’t put down Before then, the Kent brawler will no doubt be wading through his reading list, highlighting key passages, and writing down his thoughts to improve his focus. But, Itauma hasn’t always had a love for literature, despite his father’s best efforts to encourage his son’s new-found habit. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! It was the Candy Shop rapper’s self-help memoir, Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter that peaked his interest. The New York Times bestseller chronicles 50 Cent’s life experiences – from surviving the streets of Queens to brokering multi-million dollar deals for his hit TV show Power. It teaches readers how to navigate failure, adapt to massive disruptions, and master the corporate world using street-smart intuition. Handy for an up-and-coming boxer. Since then, Itauma has graduated to Chinese general Sun Tzu’s 2,500-year-old text, The Art of War, and is reading up on philosophers including Jiddu Krishnamurti and Niccolò Machiavelli. The aspiring champ is far from your average fighter. Ahead of Franklin fight Back in March, before he demolished Jermaine Franklin in a fifth-round technical knockout, Itauma sat down with SunSport and spoke about his love of literature. Most read in Sport He revealed he had ordered a haul of around 50 books from Amazon and was in the process of learning more about himself. Before beating Jermaine Franklin, Itauma told us he ordered around 50 books on Amazon Credit: Steve Welsh/PA Wire Itauma revealed that reading was positive for his mental state Credit: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for British GQ His book list included The Art of Clear Thinking, The Ways of the Superior Man, Influence, The Alchemist, Iron John, The Awakening of Intelligence, and The Prince. He told us: “I was never a big fan of reading because I found it hard to click with books. “But then I found a couple that I liked and now I am on the rampage. “It’s all about balance, everyone is unique, I might have done something yesterday that was detrimental to my career but was positive for my mental state. “It’s about getting to know yourself. I know a lot of boxers who go clubbing but they drink water. “Floyd Mayweather would be in a nightclub all night, sober, and run home at 4am. “I will find out what works for me, there might be the odd tantrum here or there. But I am finding myself.” The Art of War Itauma’s appetite for the written word led him to discover The Art of War by strategist Sun Tzu. An ancient Chinese military treatise, roughly dating back to 5th century BC, the text features 13 chapters that outline a distinct set of skills, tactics, and psychological approaches to conflict. Ancient Chinese text The Art of War appeals to Itauma Itauma’s brother Karol, left, revealed his sibling is relaxed ahead of a fight week Credit: Queensberry Promotions But, rather than promoting brute force, its central philosophy prioritises winning through intelligence, deception, and preparation, famously arguing that the highest form of warfare is to subdue the enemy without fighting. The book’s tactical wisdom has transcended its ancient origins to inspire modern business strategy, corporate management, leadership, law, and sport. Itauma’s brother Karol told SunSport how reading has allowed his sibling to remain calm during fight weeks. “For those that know him on a deeper level, he’s very chilled and relaxed,” Karol said. “Like he just takes everything in his stride. And yeah, like even like fight week, everyone’s like… our family, we’re all close with him, but he’s just chill. He’s always excited. “He only got into that proper reading recently. More like how the mind works and stuff like that. Yeah, so like maybe Sun Tzu The Art of War and stuff like that. So more like mental. “He’s at that relaxed level where even like before the fight in the changing room, he has a nap.” Preparing for Hrgovic The Hrgovic fight for the vacant IBF belt presents Itauma with his toughest task yet. Boasting 20 wins from 21 fights, the 34-year-old’s only blip came in 2024 when he was beaten by Daniel Dubois by TKO inside 8 rounds. Next up for Itauma is Croatian fighter Filip Hrgovic Credit: Getty Images Alongside his reading, Itauma has been working hard in the ring in preparation Credit: Unknown The Olympic bronze medalist has since disposed of a trio of British boxers including Joe Joyce, David Adeleye, and David Allen. In preparation for going toe-to-toe with Hrgovic, Itauma picked up The Mental Toughness Handbook by Damon Zahariades. A step-by-step guide that focuses on daily habits, emotional control, and Navy SEAL-inspired tactics, it is designed to help handle stress and overcome adversity. This time, it was another successful boxer who inspired his latest read. “I’m currently reading The Mental Toughness Handbook,” Itauma told DAZN in a fight preview show that aired last week. “I believe I saw Anthony Joshua reading (it), so that’s why. I thought, let’s give it a read as well.” But, Itauma doesn’t stop short at just taking in the knowledge. He then crafts his own thoughts and feelings on paper. Itauma continued: “But I don’t just read. I take a pen. I highlight what I’ve read and then I write it down in my notebook. So, I don’t just read these books, I study them. Itauma was inspired to read The Mental Toughness Handbook by Anthony Joshua Itauma’s book list could influence his biggest fight yet Credit: GETTY “Reading has always been something my dad tried to install in me, but I just never really had the patience and I never really thought that it would be a bit of me. “I just kind of came to a bit of a realisation that I was reading the wrong kind of books. “It was only until I read 50 Cent’s book Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter I was actually able to click with a book and that opened my eyes up to reading.” Comment now