Moses Itauma is tipped for the very top and the 21-year-old could soon secure a shot at Daniel Dubois’ WBO heavyweight world title.
Dubois stopped Fabio Wardley last month to become a two-time world champion. Wardley has since activated his rematch clause to initiate a second fight, which is expected to take place before the end of the year.
Itauma is currently positioned as the WBO’s mandatory challenger, meaning he will likely get a shot at the victor of Dubois-Wardley II and therefore the world heavyweight title.
The youngster shares the same trainer as Wardley in Ben Davison, so he may still opt to seek alternative options if Wardley is able to avenge his first career defeat.
If Dubois retains the title and tees up a showdown with Itauma, Harvey Dykes, who has sparred both men, advised Itauma to not rush into such a dangerous scrap, in an interview with Seconds Out.
“I rate Moses very, very highly but I think, what is the point of rushing it? I’d probably give him [Itauma] another year. Daniel is only 28, people forget that, don’t they?
“Daniel is still improving all of the time and I think that last camp was the strongest camp that I have seen him in.
“So yeah, I would give Moses a bit more time, but I do rate Moses massively high.”
While Itauma will be ordered to face the winner, he does not plan to wait around, with an August fight against Filip Hrgovic understood to be in advanced talks.
