Moses Itauma Targets World Heavyweight Crown Quickly

Moses Itauma and his trainer Ben Davison are pushing for a world heavyweight title shot as soon as possible. The 21-year-old has risen rapidly, stopping former world-title challenger Dillian Whyte in one round and dominating Jermaine Franklin inside five, and his team feel he is ready to be fast-tracked to the top of the division.

Davison said the aim is clear: get a world title opportunity quickly. He cautioned that negotiations are the job of Queensberry Promotions and Frank and George Warren, but added that the plan is to move at pace. According to Davison, Itauma himself wants to be a world champion before turning 22 and is in a favourable position with several sanctioning bodies, so openings could appear if belts are vacated or contenders choose different routes.

Still early in his pro career, Itauma has 14 fights with 12 stoppage wins. Davison described the matchmaking strategy as a balance of risk versus reward: gaining experience was part of the early plan, but after what he has seen in the gym and the ring, they believe further cautious builds are less necessary. If opponents can't last the rounds, so be it, he said.

Davison added he would not hesitate to put Itauma in for a WBC title fight against Agit Kabayel, saying that if a world title is available they would be 'all in.' One potential complication is a WBO mandatory spot tied to gymmate Fabio Wardley, who holds that belt and is due to face Daniel Dubois on May 9. Davison does not expect that to force a clash between stablemates: if Wardley wins, a unification or a high-profile fight with Oleksandr Usyk could see him vacate the WBO strap, and a unification should supersede a mandatory defence. For now, Davison cannot see the situation becoming an obstacle.