Moses Itauma has summarised his thoughts on two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, who has been at the forefront of the heavyweight scene for the last decade.
Itauma has drawn comparisons to Joshua in the early days of his professional career, with many fight fans believing that the 21-year-old could outperform the Londoner inside of the ring and reign atop the division for many years.
Joshua first claimed world honours in 2016 and went on to earn victories over fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin before losing his crown to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.
‘AJ’ regained his belts in the rematch, before back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, and a further loss to Daniel Dubois derailed his career somewhat. After suffering two shock knockdowns against little known Kristian Prenga in his last fight, fans are now looking at the likes of Itauma to take over the mantle.
Later this month, Itauma will have the opportunity to begin that takeover, tasked with Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic in an intriguing battle that is now for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title, after Frank Sanchez agreed to a step-aside deal.
Reflecting on what is left of the previous champions, Itauma told talkSPORT that he has no intentions to disrespect the likes of Joshua and Tyson Fury by fighting them at this point in their careers, believing neither to be ‘the fighters that they once were’.
“[I am] not really [targeting fights with Joshua and Fury]. I think for me to do or suggest that would be a bit disrespectful. ‘AJ’ obviously isn’t in his prime, neither is Tyson Fury – and I think it would be disrespectful for me to say that I want to fight these guys now because, not to throw shade, they are not the fighters that they once was.
“Obviously, they are still very good and capable fighters and if we were in our primes they would be lovely fights, but I have got Filip Hrgovic in front of me.”
Itauma-Hrgovic takes place at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, August 29, where Itauma could become the second-youngest heavyweight ruler of all time if able to be victorious.
