Moses Itauma is on target to battle for a heavyweight world title earlier than his twenty second birthday.
Itauma turns 22 on December 28 of this 12 months and by then ought to have fought for a world championship.
The younger Briton is very ranked by the WBO and the WBC so may put himself in place to problem for both of these championship belts.
Oleksandr Usyk should field obligatory challenger Agit Kabayel subsequent to stay the WBC titlist. But when he chooses to rematch Rico Verhoeven as a substitute, a path to that title would open up for Itauma.
First although he should beat Filip Hrgovic of their August 29 conflict on the O2 enviornment in London.
“If Usyk doesn’t fight Kabayel and he relinquishes the title, I would not mind fighting Kabayel if I get past Hrgovic,” Itauma instructed Sky Sports activities.
“It’s God’s timing. Maybe not this year but maybe next year.”
The WBO championship is held by Daniel Dubois and Itauma expects to fulfill the Londoner in an all-British heavyweight conflict in 2027.
“I think next year it could happen,” he mentioned. “That would be good wouldn’t it?”
The battle with Hrgovic pitches the rising star into world degree competitors.
Reflecting on the burden of expectation already on him, Itauma mentioned: “I don’t deal with pressure I let pressure deal with me. It’s not something I try to seek. Pressure makes diamonds, you hear that all the time but it’s true.”
He added of his subsequent opponent: “He’s got a chin, he’s durable, he can whack. He has got IQ. His weaknesses … he ain’t got any, he’s a perfect fighter. So when I win I’m even better.”
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Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison has urged thrilling prospect Moses Itauma to not rush right into a world title battle with Daniel Dubois
Hrgovic although was not so complimentary of his 21-year-old rival. He predicts that he’ll win by knockout. “Hrgovic in seven, that’s what I think of Moses Itauma,” the Croatian instructed Sky Sports activities.
“It’s a great fight for myself with a young, upcoming lion, who’s impressed everyone except myself. Maybe he’s the next great heavyweight but I don’t believe it until I see his courage, his chin, his will, his endurance.”
Their promoter Frank Warren is adamant that with a victory over Hrgovic, Itauma will push on to a world title shot subsequent.
“He’s in with an Olympic medallist in Hrgovic, who’s got a wealth of experience. He’s a tough guy, he’s never been knocked out, [only] stopped with cuts and he’s dangerous, certainly early on in fights. He gives people problems, he beats people,” Warren instructed Sky Sports activities.
“If [Itauma] wins, world title fight. He’s No 1 now, he could sit it out and wait for it but we want to keep him busy and get experience and that’s what he wants.”
He thinks Itauma can choose up a significant belt whereas he is nonetheless simply 21 years previous.
“I’d like that to happen, I’d like him to fight this year for it,” Warren mentioned. “We want to be able to get it done this year.
“If it is the winner of the WBO [with Dubois set to rematch Fabio Wardley] clearly they don’t seem to be going to battle until late autumn so they will not be prepared.”
But Warren hinted: “Possibly, who is aware of, it may be Usyk.”
