ON Saturday night, Moses Itauma made light work of Dillian Whyte with a performance that has the boxing world talking. Still, Lawrence Okolie is convinced that ‘the time is now’ for a clash between himself and the UK’s hottest prospect.
Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), extended his blistering run when he dispatched of Whyte, 31-4 (21 KOs), in the opening round of what was a first ever main-event fight for the 20-year-old southpaw.
Despite just 26 professional rounds to his name, fans are suggesting that Itauma may be the man to dethrone Oleksandr Usyk and claim the undisputed heavyweight title.
Consequently, Itauma and his team are keen for an opponent that will provide some much needed rounds, with names such as Jermaine Franklin, Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel being mentioned as possible options for his next fight.
In an interview with Boxing News, an opponent closer to home threw his hat into the ring, as former WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie, 22-1 (16 KOs), admitted that he would prefer to face Itauma ‘sooner rather than later’.
“100%, [I would fight him]. If there was a time then it would be sooner rather than later with someone like Moses. The fact is, he has been gifted since he was young, but what you don’t want to do is get [in there with] someone who is gifted and experienced.
“By the time that he is 25, he is going to be unbelievable. If there is a time to sneak in and ‘old man’ him, it is now.”
Okolie is currently positioned as the WBC’s number one contender in the division, but he may have to wait for a shot at a vacant belt than a showdown with Usyk – who has been ordered to take on WBO mandatory challenger, Joseph Parker.
Whether Usyk will go ahead with that contest or vacate the WBO belt in favour of a meeting with Itauma remains to be seen, and the answer will dictate the next move for the Kent-based sensation.
Although, with experience and star power both needed for the youngster, Okolie certainly represents a viable yet potentially dangerous option – one whom Itauma knows well from previous spars.
