Moses Itauma is about to grow to be the obligatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title – doubtlessly placing him on a collision course with stablemate Fabio Wardley.
Itauma, 21, produced one other emphatic consequence on Saturday evening, handing a primary stoppage defeat to Jermaine Franklin as he recorded a fifth-round victory in Manchester, taking his document to 14-0 with 12 of these wins achieved through knockout.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri posted on social media platform X that after Itauma “further affirmed his standing within the division as a rising star” the Brit can be “formally recommended” for a shot on the organisation’s heavyweight belt.
Once I first turned skilled, I assumed I might win titles however I did not suppose it will be so quickly. I am only a younger boy chasing a dream.
Wardley – who shares coach Ben Davison with Itauma – will defend that championship towards Daniel Dubois on Could 9, so if he wins it might result in a “sticky predicament”, in keeping with Itauma.
The up-and-comer mentioned earlier than knocking out Franklin: “I feel Fabio can [beat Dubois]. Fabio retains shocking everybody. When you write him off he’ll find yourself smashing Dubois out.
“You do not actually know what to anticipate from Fabio however I might most likely say Fabio wins.
“He’s obviously in the same gym as me so that would be a sticky predicament. Everything can make sense, it all makes sense.”
Itauma’s document is now 14-0, with 12 wins coming through knockout
Talking late final yr, earlier than he was promoted to full WBO champion following Oleksandr Usyk vacating the title, Wardley informed Sky Sports activities a couple of potential showdown with Itauma: “Who knows how the future’s going to go?
“Proper now me and Moses are on our personal programs. We each must seize our world titles first, earlier than we’re capable of have conversations about crossing swords ourselves.
“There’s enough out there for the pair of us to have a go at and just occupy ourselves before we need to start having a serious think about getting in the ring at the same time.”
Itauma needs Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury – however expects to be made to attend
Itauma needs Fury and Usyk – however expects to have to attend
Within the build-up to his battle with Franklin, Itauma informed Sky Sports activities he would “love” a crack at Usyk – however that he doesn’t count on that to occur any time quickly.
He feels the identical concerning a blockbuster bout with Tyson Fury, who will return to the ring in April to tackle Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“Why would Usyk fight me?” mentioned Itauma. “Clearly he is bought different folks on the agenda. Not solely that he is bought a complete checklist of those who, I assume, are in entrance of me.
“I don’t think Tyson would want to take [a fight]. I don’t know. For example, he’s got a big fight with Anthony Joshua, a fight can still gross massively.
“He is aware of there are quite a lot of different fights he most likely would find a way to earn more money off and so they would not be as a lot of a battle. It would not actually make sense for him.”
Usyk and Fury could also be a method off, then, however Dubois or Wardley seemingly not.
