Moses Itauma is on course to fight for a heavyweight world title before his 22nd birthday.
Itauma turns 22 on December 28 of this year and by then should have fought for a world championship.
The young Briton is highly ranked by the WBO and the WBC so could put himself in position to challenge for either of those championship belts.
Oleksandr Usyk must box mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel next to remain the WBC titlist. But if he chooses to rematch Rico Verhoeven instead, a route to that title would open up for Itauma.
First though he must beat Filip Hrgovic in their August 29 clash at the O2 arena in London.
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Moses Itauma’s promoter Frank Warren has suggested his fighter could fight Oleksandr Usyk next should he emerge victorious against Filip Hrgovic
“If Usyk doesn’t fight Kabayel and he relinquishes the title, I would not mind fighting Kabayel if I get past Hrgovic,” Itauma told Sky Sports.
“It’s God’s timing. Maybe not this year but maybe next year.”
The WBO championship is held by Daniel Dubois and Itauma expects to meet the Londoner in an all-British heavyweight clash in 2027.
“I think next year it could happen,” he said. “That would be good wouldn’t it?”
The fight with Hrgovic pitches the rising star into world level competition.
Reflecting on the weight of expectation already on him, Itauma said: “I don’t deal with pressure I let pressure deal with me. It’s not something I try to seek. Pressure makes diamonds, you hear that all the time but it’s true.”
He added of his next opponent: “He’s got a chin, he’s durable, he can whack. He has got IQ. His weaknesses … he ain’t got any, he’s a perfect fighter. So when I win I’m even better.”
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Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison has urged exciting prospect Moses Itauma not to rush into a world title fight with Daniel Dubois
Hrgovic though was not so complimentary of his 21-year-old rival. He predicts that he will win by knockout. “Hrgovic in seven, that’s what I think of Moses Itauma,” the Croatian told Sky Sports.
“It’s a great fight for myself with a young, upcoming lion, who’s impressed everyone except myself. Maybe he’s the next great heavyweight but I don’t believe it until I see his courage, his chin, his will, his endurance.”
Their promoter Frank Warren is adamant that with a victory over Hrgovic, Itauma will push on to a world title shot next.
“He’s in with an Olympic medallist in Hrgovic, who’s got a wealth of experience. He’s a tough guy, he’s never been knocked out, [only] stopped with cuts and he’s dangerous, certainly early on in fights. He gives people problems, he beats people,” Warren told Sky Sports.
“If [Itauma] wins, world title fight. He’s No 1 now, he could sit it out and wait for it but we want to keep him busy and get experience and that’s what he wants.”
He thinks Itauma can pick up a major belt while he’s still just 21 years old.
“I’d like that to happen, I’d like him to fight this year for it,” Warren said. “We want to be able to get it done this year.
“If it’s the winner of the WBO [with Dubois set to rematch Fabio Wardley] obviously they’re not going to fight till late autumn so they won’t be ready.”
But Warren hinted: “Maybe, who knows, it might be Usyk.”
