Moses Itauma prepares for IBF heavyweight title shot against Filip Hrgovic

British heavyweight Moses Itauma pulls out his phone and scrolls through his pictures.

He shows a meme featuring former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo in traditional attire, standing with his hands on his hips and staring deadpan into the camera.

"This is how an African dad looks at you when you pursue a career that goes against his wishes and you turn out to be successful," a chuckling Itauma reads aloud to BBC Sport. "That is pretty much my dad."

Itauma was born in Slovakia to a Nigerian father and a Slovak mother before moving to Kent as a young child.

His parents originally wanted him to become a doctor or a lawyer. But once his older brother turned professional and the family recognised Itauma's exceptional natural talent, their stance softened.

"Don't worry about school. Just focus on your boxing," his mother eventually said.

That decision has paid off spectacularly.

At 21, Itauma steps into the ring against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday for the vacant IBF title with the chance to become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion in history.

"There's a lot of expectations on my shoulders to carry the flag of British boxing. I just have to live up to it," Itauma says.

Victory against Croatia's Hrgovic would put Itauma on the path to becoming the next big name in British heavyweight boxing, with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua inching closer to the end of their storied careers.

Fury, with his Netflix documentaries and larger-than-life personality, has always made himself the attraction. Itauma is more like Joshua - guarded and keeping the media at arm's length.

"What irritates me most is when people think you're public property," he says.

"What people don't know about me is that I don't actually want to be in the limelight. The way my career is going, I just have no choice."

Like Joshua, Itauma often appears uninterested in the theatrics of fight week. When Hrgovic interrupted during Thursday's news conference, Itauma calmly asked host Adam Smith for the next question.

There are similarities in their careers, too.

Joshua fought Charles Martin for the IBF title in his 16th pro bout, having boxed 34 rounds. Itauma arrives at his first world-title opportunity a fight sooner and with 31 rounds logged.

While Joshua had an Olympic gold medal and a deeper amateur background, victory for Itauma would make comparisons unavoidable - eclipsing Joshua to become the fastest British heavyweight to win a world title.

Itauma's trainer Ben Davison, who also worked with Joshua and Fury, believes he has the temperament to handle what comes next.

"Pressure is a privilege," he says.

"Moses has already had that pressure for such a long time and I just think it's water off a duck's back."

Boxing's best young prospects tend to be handled carefully and are given time to learn before dangerous tests arrive.

Itauma, however, has been fast-tracked to his world-title shot.

Francis Warren - son of Queensberry chief Frank - first noticed him as a teenager, sparring established professionals. Former British heavyweight champion Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva was there even earlier.

"Moses was a big 11 or 12-year-old, around 75 to 80kg, (11st 11lb to 12st 8lb) and sparred an adult of the same weight," TKV says. "He really showed up, put hands on this grown man, and I was shocked.

"The guy he sparred was around 25. Imagine going home and telling your wife you got beat up by a kid."

Itauma's progress has been marked by destructive stoppages over Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin. They may not be world-beaters, but the manner of those wins strengthened belief Itauma was destined for the top.

When Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF title and Frank Sanchez agreed to step aside, Itauma's fight with Hrgovic was elevated into a world-title contest.

Suddenly, the fast track looked, to some, like a shortcut.

Hrgovic - even before the IBF belt was on the line - claimed Itauma had been handed "everything on a plate". On social media, there was a similar feeling - perhaps a final eliminator would have been a more natural way to earn his shot.

Itauma, though, has little interest in proving himself to the doubters.

"It's a lose-lose situation for me because if I win, I've done what people expect, and if I lose, it's just like, I wasn't as good as what I thought," he says.

"I don't find happiness in trying to please other people's expectations."

But what happens when his power does not end the fight? What happens when an opponent is still standing in round eight, still dangerous, still coming back?

TKV, who has sparred Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, has seen enough behind closed doors to believe Itauma can handle it.

"Moses works hard even though he hasn't had to face adversity in his fights or training," he says. "I've never seen him slack. He's fast, sharp, a good learner and I rarely see him get hit.

"I believe he can do the rounds, too. He has the potential to dominate the division for years."

There is no doubt within Itauma's camp that he belongs at this level. But all the outside questions over timing, merit and readiness will fade when the first bell sounds.

On Saturday, the prodigy has 12 rounds - if he needs them - to write his own chapter in heavyweight history.