Moses Itauma is already being mentioned alongside the very top names in the division after a brutal one-round blitz of former interim world champion Dillian Whyte.
Moses Itauma is one step closer to a world title, and an even bigger step towards becoming a household name, after a one-round obliteration of ‘The Bodysnatcher’ Dillian Whyte.
Itauma called out Joseph Parker, who holds the WBO interim world title, after the fight, with a match-up between the pair possibly coming next.
Turki Alalshikh has claimed Itauma vs Oleksandr Usyk is the fight to make, though after just 13 fights and at the age of just 20 years old, this one might be a little too soon.
One man who Itauma would not call out, likely because they share a trainer, is Anthony Joshua, whose teammate recently made a shocking admission.
Eddie Hearn believes Moses Itauma has more natural ability than Anthony Joshua
In an interview with IFL TV, Eddie Hearn, AJ’s longtime promoter and friend, was asked whether he believes Itauma has proved himself to be better in his first 13 fights than AJ was in his first 13.
In Joshua’s 13th fight, he faced 29-6-1 Kevin Johnson, and his first 13 opponents had a combined record of 283-127-9.
Itauma’s foes, meanwhile, have a combined record of 185-55-4.
Hearn answered, stating, “Moses is more of a natural talent, if I’m honest. I think AJ is a big, strong wrecking ball who found boxing quite late on. […] Different fighters – AJ started boxing when he was 16, Moses started at 7/8/9.”
“Moses has much more natural ability than AJ as a boxer. […] Moses is a more naturally gifted fighter.”
Hearn also suggested that both men were at a similar stage in the 13th fight – blitzing in one or two rounds an opponent who was meant to be a step-up in opposition.
Eddie Hearn doubts Moses Itauma vs Anthony Joshua will ever happen
In the same interview, Hearn was asked about the chances of AJ vs Itauma ever happening.
The fight is already unlikely for a few reasons, the biggest of which is that AJ and Itauma have the same trainer and gym at the moment. Additionally, AJ may face Jake Paul next and has ongoing injuries he’s recovering from.
Hearn said, “It’s not gonna happen in the next year, because we’ve got plans that we want. If AJ went on a run, beat whoever he fights, beat Tyson Fury, then yeah, he could do if he wanted to. […] I promise you AJ will have watched that last night going ‘I want to fight him.'”
“I wouldn’t rule it out I just think timing-wise, I’m not sure their paths will cross.”
Itauma could face Hrgovic, Franklin, or Bakole next, though one thing is clear – the heavyweight division must prepare for a new star.