Moses Itauma’s Heavyweight Championship Aspirations
Moses Itauma is on the brink of a heavyweight championship opportunity but must remain patient until Oleksandr Usyk is fit to return in 2026. Having rapidly ascended to the top, Itauma boasts the number one ranking with both the WBA and WBO after only thirteen professional bouts. However, with Usyk currently sidelined due to an injury and seeking a hiatus from the WBO, the young boxing sensation must maintain his activity level to continue building his momentum.
Recent Performance and Future Plans
Itauma’s recent performance was nothing short of explosive as he dispatched Dillian Whyte in mere seconds last month, generating significant buzz around a potential matchup with Usyk, despite the latter’s relatively young age. Promoter Frank Warren, speaking with Sky Sports, shared details about Itauma’s upcoming plans, highlighting the urgency to keep him engaged in fights until Usyk is ready to come back.
“We’re quite close to an announcement for a big fight, plus a couple of others,” Warren mentioned. “There are several heavyweight events in the pipeline that we’re currently organizing. We aim to confirm a fight shortly, ideally by October.”
During that October event, interim WBO titleholder Joseph Parker is set to clash with interim WBA champion Fabio Wardley. Despite their interim titles, only the victor will earn the right to challenge for the full championship title. With Usyk’s anticipated comeback next year, Itauma appears to be positioned advantageously among the heavyweight contenders, potentially paving the way for either Parker or Wardley to ascend to championship status.
Maintaining Momentum
Warren assured that caution wouldn’t hinder Itauma’s progression.
“He will fight before the end of the year,” he stated. “There are high expectations, but I remain mindful of his youth and relatively short experience. He has had no amateur senior bouts, yet he’s achieved a lot in just thirteen fights. Soon, he’ll step into a major match that will highlight his capabilities.”
The current scenario regarding Usyk’s situation influences the paths for Itauma, Parker, and Wardley as they await their chances at the heavyweight throne. As things stand, Itauma must avoid any missteps and continue to showcase his dominance as he did in his match against Whyte, as any decline in performance could push his world title aspirations further away. On the other hand, if he maintains and builds upon his prowess, his ascent through the heavyweight ranks remains a prompt inevitability.
About the Author
Phil Jay is an established boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience in the industry, serving as the Editor-in-Chief at World Boxing News since 2010. He has interviewed various world champions and reported live from some of the most significant events in the boxing world.
