Moses Itauma has proven himself ready to take on the best in the heavyweight division, Oleksandr Usyk, says promoter Frank Warren.
Warren has built some of the biggest stars in British boxing over the years and has a keen eye for developing talent. He believes that Itauma, still only 21 years old and relatively inexperienced for an elite heavyweight, is good enough to take on unbeaten, unified and previously undisputed champion Usyk.
Warren told Sky Sports: “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.”
Itauma’s last display was an expert demolition of Jermaine Franklin, a consummate performance that Itauma finished with a blazing knockout. That showing proved Itauma belongs at the top end of the division.
“He was brilliant,” Warren said. “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.
“Provided he keeps winning, he will fight for the world title by the end of the year.”
Itauma’s world title fight might not come against Usyk.
The Ukrainian could vacate one of his belts, he could make a mandatory defence of his WBC title against Agit Kabayel, he could look for another unification – against the winner of Fabio Wardley’s fight with Daniel Dubois for the WBO championship – or indeed consider other alternatives.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Andy Scott and Gary Logan debate who Moses Itauma should face next following his devastating knockout win over Jermaine Franklin
But Itauma could still be a lucrative option for him. “At a good time as well, not when the guy’s really over the hill, we’ve seen that over the years where guys have fought not at their peak,” Warren said.
“In this heavyweight division in the last few years we’ve been getting the best fighting the best, like when you look at the fight next week in Manchester with Fabio and Daniel. They’re not over the hill guys. They’re on the rise.”
For Itauma his view is: “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