Promoter Frank Warren believes 21-year-old Moses Itauma already has the tools to mix with the very best in the heavyweight division and could be ready to face Oleksandr Usyk now. Warren, who has guided many top British fighters, said he wouldn’t hesitate to make the fight if the opportunity presented itself. “I fancy that fight. I’ll be honest with you, I fancy that fight right now. And I don’t rush anyone. If we could make that fight, I’d make that now,” he told Sky Sports.
Itauma’s emphatic stoppage of Jermaine Franklin — capped by a spectacular knockout — has only increased his stock and underlined his status as a top prospect. Warren highlighted the youngster’s composure, speed, ring IQ and maturity beyond his years: “He was brilliant. His composure, his speed, his boxing brain, everything, his ability and the maturity he showed for such a young fighter is unbelievable. He’s got such fast hands and he gets shots from unconventional angles as well.”
Warren went further with a bold projection: “Provided he keeps winning, he will fight for the world title by the end of the year.” That potential world-title shot, however, might not necessarily be against Usyk. The unified, unbeaten former undisputed champion could vacate a belt, be tied up with a mandatory WBC defence against Agit Kabayel, or pursue another unification — possibly with the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois for the WBO strap.
Warren stressed timing and matchmaking in the heavyweight scene: fights should come “at a good time as well, not when the guy’s really over the hill… In this heavyweight division in the last few years we’ve been getting the best fighting the best… They’re not over the hill guys. They’re on the rise.”
Itauma himself is clear-eyed about the challenge: “Usyk’s undefeated. He is what he is and he’s considered to be the best of his era by a lot of people. Go for that.”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 6.