Will Moses Itauma be the best ever British heavyweight?

[forcefraser]

I thought Itamu looked way too open when throwing his shots, his head out there when pulling back

Some day, some day soon, some brother gonna clip him on the way out

[Controversial]

I'm still to be convinced, great potential though and has age on his side. A fast southpaw who can punch hard at HW are good attributes but still a novice (12 fights and 25 rounds), his chin still untested and what will he be like under pressure or in a hard fight? Will he have the discipline to get to the top? These are the things that ultimately separate the good from the best, how many prospects have we seen look the business against low level fighters only to fold when stepped up or just don't live the sport like they should.

[lefthook82]

I thought Itamu looked way too open when throwing his shots, his head out there when pulling back

Some day, some day soon, some brother gonna clip him on the way out

I saw this too. I think he is developing just fine but just dial down the hype. How is he going to react when he gets clipped?

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO PRESIDENT DECLARES MOSES ITAUMA IS NEW NO. 1 HEAVYWEIGHT AFTER KO OF MIKE BALOGUN

Moses Itauma told Dev Sahni that matchmaking issues weren't something he had to concern himself with, though it should be a little easier to tempt bigger names into facing the 20-year-old now.

The Ring's Prospect of the Year for 2024, Itauma (12-0, 10 KOs) kicked off his campaign with a trio of thunderous knockdowns in less than two completed rounds as he made easy work of former American football linebacker Mike Balogun (21-2, 16 KOs).

An hour after the third defence of his WBO Inter-Continental title — a belt once held by Joseph Parker, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury among others — the sanctioning body's president shared an unexpected update on social media.

Gustavo Olivieri was impressed with another stoppage win, saying:

"Moses has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances. Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching. It's only a matter of time before he gets his shot & the world sees a new star emerge. #NewEra"

As expected, the comment caused some consternation from fans believing the Chatham southpaw was receiving preferential treatment by being rewarded with a top ranking without the resume to support such a distinction.

Olivieri replied to select fans, including one who noted unbeaten Australian contender Justis Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) didn't have the same fanfare and described a matchup between the pair as "fireworks between two young lions," while saying he'd be "ready in due course" for unified heavyweight champion Usyk, who rematches Itauma's stablemate Daniel Dubois on July 19.

Parker (36-3, 23 KOs) captured the WBO's interim world championship after a 12-round majority decision win over Zhilei Zhang in March 2024 and has willingly stepped aside for Usyk-Dubois II, set to headline a bumper bill at London's Wembley Stadium.

He scored a second-round stoppage win over late stand-in opponent Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 22, less than 48 hours after illness forced Dubois out of their proposed IBF title showdown.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Typical Frank fighter getting a #1 ranking without having really fought anyone.

He gonna have a final eliminator or just get mandated to fight for world title ?

[JC]

It’s around this stage the last generation of HWs would fight Kevin Johnson.

Not sure there is anyone filling that role now. Have heard Jermaine Franklin mentioned, he seems a great option if they can get him.

[Coco]

The real question is whether FW would take Parker, Uysk or Dubois next?

[gilgamesh]

The real question is whether FW would take Parker, Uysk or Dubois next?

Any one of those would be a bridge too far. You don't go from fighting scrubs to fighting the Top 5 in the World. There's gotta be some steps in between.

[Coco]

The real question is whether FW would take Parker, Uysk or Dubois next?

Any one of those would be a bridge too far. You don't go from fighting scrubs to fighting the Top 5 in the World. There's gotta be some steps in between.

So if the WBO wants the number 1 contender to fight for its title? What does FW do?

[gilgamesh]

The real question is whether FW would take Parker, Uysk or Dubois next?

Any one of those would be a bridge too far. You don't go from fighting scrubs to fighting the Top 5 in the World. There's gotta be some steps in between.

So if the WBO wants the number 1 contender to fight for its title? What does FW do?

Itauma is the #1 contender of the WBO Title?

[Coco]

Any one of those would be a bridge too far. You don't go from fighting scrubs to fighting the Top 5 in the World. There's gotta be some steps in between.

So if the WBO wants the number 1 contender to fight for its title? What does FW do?

Itauma is the #1 contender of the WBO Title?

He is now

[gilgamesh]

So if the WBO wants the number 1 contender to fight for its title? What does FW do?

Itauma is the #1 contender of the WBO Title?

He is now

Well. That's pretty stupid honestly, and considering the potential everyone thinks this kid has. I don't see any reason to rush him into a Title fight when he ain't ready for it. In a few years time with the right matchmaking he'll be there. Right now, he isn't.

Hell who knows, maybe he is, but anytime I think of someone trying to move along a prospect too quickly. I think of David Reid.

[Controversial]

He needs rounds under his belt, all well and good flattening these guys but he isn't learning much and more likely to get into bad habits. A title shot far too early in my opinion, even if he is good enough he is too green to be then mixing with the top guys.

[tigermoth87]

Joyce turned out to be a clown? No he did not, he just got old. Clowns don’t break DDDs face and spark out parker.

Also… are you saying DDDs hasn’t lived up to they hype? He is literally a world champ about to fight for undisputed … who in his last fight sparked out the biggest name in boxing over the last decade in front of a record breaking crowd at Wembley …

These are failures? If these are your examples of failing to live up to the hype I don’t see how anyone could ever live up to the hype.

Dubois is a quitter. He quit like a bitch against Joyce and quit vs Usyk when his bollock shot backfired. Parker is an average plodder. I can move faster than him. He's lucky he's boxing in a weak era and is now able to look better than he is by feasting on the has beings.

[forcefraser]

Joyce turned out to be a clown? No he did not, he just got old. Clowns don’t break DDDs face and spark out parker.

Also… are you saying DDDs hasn’t lived up to they hype? He is literally a world champ about to fight for undisputed … who in his last fight sparked out the biggest name in boxing over the last decade in front of a record breaking crowd at Wembley …

These are failures? If these are your examples of failing to live up to the hype I don’t see how anyone could ever live up to the hype.

Dubois is a quitter. He quit like a bitch against Joyce and quit vs Usyk when his bollock shot backfired. Parker is an average plodder. I can move faster than him. He's lucky he's boxing in a weak era and is now able to look better than he is by feasting on the has beings.

Robbie Duran is a bigger quitter though isn't he? And Joe Frazier? And Kosta Tsyu?

Bitches all three of em

[gregregegg]

Joyce turned out to be a clown? No he did not, he just got old. Clowns don’t break DDDs face and spark out parker.

Also… are you saying DDDs hasn’t lived up to they hype? He is literally a world champ about to fight for undisputed … who in his last fight sparked out the biggest name in boxing over the last decade in front of a record breaking crowd at Wembley …

These are failures? If these are your examples of failing to live up to the hype I don’t see how anyone could ever live up to the hype.

Dubois is a quitter. He quit like a bitch against Joyce and quit vs Usyk when his bollock shot backfired. Parker is an average plodder. I can move faster than him. He's lucky he's boxing in a weak era and is now able to look better than he is by feasting on the has beings.

Parker is an average plodder… that’s a hot take.

In what era would Parker be exposed as an average plodder?

[tigermoth87]

has beings.

Parker is an average plodder… that’s a hot take.

In what era would Parker be exposed as an average plodder?
[/quote]

The current era when he lost to average fighters DIllian Whyte and Joe Joyce and barely scraped past Chisora.

[coneye]

Personaly i would of thought they would go for Bakole , Basicly a name , always out of shape , can be stopped , sounds perfect , But watched two u tube things .

1--- With Frank he was'nt happy with , Bakole and his trainer , basicly saying his trainer is disrespectful , and who the hell is Bakole anyway , he's been shite in his last two ,

2-- Hearns son Francis , he wa basicly saying the same thing , and stated that Billys is ruining his boxers carreers , by having too much to say , being too disrespectful , and finished with who would want to do buisness with him when he's a knob , Billy apparantly said Moses has a glass chin or something like that

3--- Also seen Bakole interviewed , he said he's levels above , BUT suggested Moses goes elswhere , it would be a big money fight for him , and one if he was'nt in shape he would possibly get knocked over , personaly i got the impresion Bakole don't want it

[Cyclops]

I see what they’re doing. I saw in a post fight interview with Moses that they’re hoping to have him out on the Wembley card in July, so it makes promotional sense to call out Bakole now. He’s fat and has essentially lost two on the spin: took the Parker fight when he wasn’t fit and then had to go through with the Ajagba fight, which he should’ve won, without being able to do a proper safe sparring camp due to being banjo’d by Parker.

Now if they make the Moses fight for July, he’ll be even less ready and won’t have had enough time to rest between fights. Him and Billy should say no, as Bakole would be vulnerable. But they’ve proven themselves to take fights when they’re not ready so long as they’re paid.

If they say no: well, they ducked Moses. He tried to get them in the ring.

That said, I like the fight. Great.

[KiwiRider]

I see what they’re doing. I saw in a post fight interview with Moses that they’re hoping to have him out on the Wembley card in July, so it makes promotional sense to call out Bakole now. He’s fat and has essentially lost two on the spin: took the Parker fight when he wasn’t fit and then had to go through with the Ajagba fight, which he should’ve won, without being able to do a proper safe sparring camp due to being banjo’d by Parker.

Now if they make the Moses fight for July, he’ll be even less ready and won’t have had enough time to rest between fights. Him and Billy should say no, as Bakole would be vulnerable. But they’ve proven themselves to take fights when they’re not ready so long as they’re paid.

If they say no: well, they ducked Moses. He tried to get them in the ring.

That said, I like the fight. Great.

Just a couple of details:
Parker stopped Bakole early, before fitness even came into it.
The weight difference was around 11 pounds between fighting Parker and doing "a full camp" which for a guy that size is insignificant.
The Parker stoppage was not part of a prolonged attack, it was just the third right hand to land.
The Ajagba fight was considered fairly even, on here at least, so it wasn't exactly expected that Bakole beat him.
Parker showed us Bakole's level

[mickey1975]

Without Billy Nelson in his corner Martin Bakolie would be back in The Congo skint years ago. Billy has single handedly got him into big fights and kept his name out there. He's been relentless.

[KiwiRider]

Without Billy Nelson in his corner Martin Bakolie would be back in The Congo skint years ago. Billy has single handedly got him into big fights and kept his name out there. He's been relentless.

He definitely did a fantastic job of promoting Bakole. All those stories of Bakole beating up top guys in sparring. It was inspiring up until Joe Joyce's team posting that clip of Bakole chundering in a bucket when the narrative was supposed to be Bakole beating Joe up
Then we kinda knew the fix was in.
But yeah, Billy did a great job, if only he could have kept Bakole away from the buffet

[KiwiRider]

Fwank will announce Moses' next opponent this week for a fight in July.

[goose 5]

What do you guys think about Itauma's weight ? he's 15 pounds heavier than 1 year ago. Is 254 too much ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Frank said he won’t rush Moses