Moses Itauma is stepping up in competition against ‘The Bodysnatcher’ Dillian Whyte, who must beat the rising phenom to save his career.
Dillian Whyte has not looked great for a while now. Since his loss to Tyson Fury, in which he put up a poor account of himself, Whyte has not looked as sharp as he once was, just about edging a win over Jermaine Franklin, and then facing low-level opposition in Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh, who dragged Whyte seven rounds.
That said, Whyte is in tremendous shape going into this fight, and seems to be completely aware that his periods of inactivity and poor performances of late will make this fight make-or-break for his career, and a loss could mean retirement for the heavyweight icon.
Ahead of the fight, boxers, pundits, and experts, have given their say on who will win and how:
Derek Chisora
It is no surprise that Whyte’s former rival, Derek Chisora, is picking Itauma to win, but it is shocking just how much damage he thinks he might do to Whyte.
Speaking to TalkSport, Chisora said of the fight, “There ain’t no light at the end of that tunnel.”
Chisora even suggested the police would have to be called because of the massacre that Itauma would inflict on Whyte, and called Whyte imploring him not to take the fight once he heard it was being made.
Whyte scolded Chisora openly in a recent interview.
Prediction: Itauma by KO
Lawrence Okolie
Though new to the heavyweight scene, Okolie had much to say on the fight between Whyte and Itauma.
Okolie was one of Itauma’s earliest supporters after sparring him in Shane McGuigan’s gym in London, and saw him going on to do great things. After poaching his desired opponent, though, Okolie now sees Itauma as a threat.
Despite a potential rivalry looming if the pair’s paths ever cross, Okolie does expect Itauma to stop Whyte early.
Prediction: Itauma by KO
Mark Tibbs (Whyte’s former coach)
Mark Tibbs, former coach to Dillian Whyte and Johnny Fisher, who is now with Tony Sims, suggested he had an emotional investment in the fight as a result of his time spent with Whyte.
Despite their former work together, Tibbs also believes Itauma is too much for Whyte.
Prediction: Itauma
Dave Allen
Dave Allen is a heavyweight who has actually fought Whyte, and yet is still another man to predict his downfall.
Allen was beaten by Whyte in 2016 by unanimous decision, and believes ‘The Bodysnatcher’ does have a chance, but that Itauma is all wrong for him.
Prediction: Itauma
Carl Frampton
With a bit of boxing analysis, former world champion, Carl Frampton gave his insight into the fight,
“I think he’s a very neat and tidy boxer, Moses, clearly punches hard, fastest hands in the heavyweight division, I think. I think it could be an early night.”
Prediction: Itauma by KO
Shane McGuigan
World-class boxing trainer Shane McGuigan, who looks after Chris Billam-Smith, Ellie Scotney, and Caroline Dubois, also formerly Daniel Dubois, also suggested he cannot see Whyte getting past Itauma.
“I think Moses Itauma is a sensational talent. […] Dillian is at the end of his career and he’s always had vulnerabilities there but he’s always had that tenacity to pull something out of the bag.”
“You can never write him off. I just think it’s very good matchmaking on their behalf.”
Prediction: Itauma
Tony Bellew
Tony Bellew can only see the fight going one way, and didn’t mince his words as he gave his prediction,
“Dillian, in my opinion, is at the end. […] He’s being paid a king’s ransom to go in there and be dealt with.”
Prediction: Itauma by KO
Dave Coldwell also sees Itauma beating Whyte.
Of all those who have predicted the fight, it seems there is a landslide of opinions favoring the younger man going into this one.
Whyte likens himself to Carl Thompson, though, and promises to do to Itauma what a 40-year-old Thompson did to a rising David Haye many years ago.