Joshua was given his first opportunity to fight for a world title in his 16th professional bout when he took on and beat Charles Martin to win the IBF belt at the O2 Arena in London, England, on 09 April 2016. Now that Moses Itauma has had his 14th professional fight, the rationale seems to be that he is capable of having a similar career path to his fellow Brit and fight for a world title this year.
However, Moses Itauma has still not been tested at Heavyweight. He has not gone the distance, and he has not faced any problems in any of his professional fights at this weight. Itauma’s fight with Franklin was meant to test the British fighter’s resilience and durability, the argument being that the American was no slouch, Franklin having gone the distance with Dillian Whyte and former World Champion Anthony Joshua in previous fights. However, this did not happen – quite the reverse!
Itauma has expressed an interest in fighting Filip Hrgović, presumably again in the UK. There is, though, an argument for suggesting that Moses Itauma should look further afield for the venue of his next fight.
Itauma said at his post-fight press conference yesterday that he is “striving for greatness”. If he is serious about this, Itauma should be prepared to do what is necessary to achieve this aim. He can take a risk and fight somebody with a genuine fighting pedigree who is still in his prime.
Alternatively, Itauma can go to enemy territory and accept a fight against a fighter in that other fighter’s home country. It would, of course, be preferable if Itauma could do both these things at the same time.
Tyson Fury did exactly this when he fought and beat Wladimir Klitschko in his adopted country, Germany, on 28 November 2015 to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring World Heavyweight Boxing titles. Fury then surpassed this achievement by beating the American Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas, United States, on 22 February 2020 and 09 October 2021 to win the WBC and The Ring World Heavyweight titles.
Itauma could therefore request his management team to suggest that his next fight takes place in the United States for maximum exposure against a credible opponent. If he is truly serious about his wish to achieve greatness, he could fight Andy Ruiz Jr. in the US next. This would guarantee Itauma the ultimate respect, as Ruiz Jr. was a former World Heavyweight Champion.
If a fight against Ruiz Jr. is not to the Brit’s liking, Itauma could fight Jarrell Miller in the US next. Either fight would garner Itauma the respect he seeks.
One good thing about Moses Itauma is that he is grounded, and knows that there is, in his words, “a pecking order”, when it comes to challenging for a world heavyweight title. He is prepared to play the waiting game. However, he must be ready to come out of his comfort in his next fight, and truly test himself.
British boxing fans are keen to view Itauma as a boxing sensation. They are understandably eager to see him do well. Moses Itauma must prove himself worthy of this praise.
Romer Cherubim
Freelance journalist
UK
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