Moses Itauma: what’s next?

[JamesPhilips]

It's more his lack of pacing himself which was the issue

True he can learn from this he’s so young

He’s 29!

[Nightmare Roy]

It's more his lack of pacing himself which was the issue

True he can learn from this he’s so young

He’s 29!

Wrong thread fella

[Grilling Machine]

Another thread ticked!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Another thread ticked!

[SeanBrennan]

It's more his lack of pacing himself which was the issue

True he can learn from this he’s so young

For me, the biggest thing he will have to conquer now is confidence

Yeah must have taken a knock. I’d stick with Bricktop as he’s perfect for building them.

[Taansend]

I was always worried Itauma’s heart wasn’t fully into boxing. Not sure why. I just got this vibe. We’ll see. Something will have to change though as he can’t fight like that every fight. Possibly needs to look at his training. Improve his fitness.

Mate,

He was exhausted in that last round but STILL trying to knock out Hrgovic. He definitely has a fighting heart.

But he'll learn & come back better.

Or not & then him & his brothers can open up the best Slovakian Nigerian Restaurant in Chatham.

[JamesPhilips]

True he can learn from this he’s so young

He’s 29!

Wrong thread fella

Whoops…… meant Whittaker!

[Ruthless-RKO]

He’s 29!

Wrong thread fella

Whoops…… meant Whittaker!

Don’t worry. He’ll have one of these threads in the very near future.

[JamesPhilips]

Wrong thread fella

Whoops…… meant Whittaker!

Don’t worry. He’ll have one of these threads in the very near future.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Moses Itauma to stick with coach Ben Davison, says allegedly

Moses Itauma will not switch trainers after his August loss to Filip Hrgovic and will stay with Ben Davison, the heavyweight’s promoter allegedly has confirmed.

Davison came under fire for what some perceived to be poor corner management during a contest in which Itauma, 14-1 (12 KOs), started quickly and looked in complete control until the defining ninth round.

Hrgovic pounced on the rapidly tiring prodigy to force a stoppage that few had predicted beforehand.

It’s not the coach’s first brush with public spite. It came after his charge Fabio Wardley lost to Daniel Dubois earlier this year and, in September 2024, when Anthony Joshua – also trained by Davison – lost to Dubois in five rounds.

Largely, it has been trial by social media.

Davison, however, remains one of the leading trainers in the UK and can boast significantly more victories in big fights than defeats.

"It is always the case: if a fighter is winning, the trainer is great. If he gets beat, [he's not],” said Warren, the promoter who orchestrated the vacant IBF heavyweight title fight between Itauma and Hrgovic, while in conversation with Playbook Boxing.

“He’s staying with Ben and the team. That's where he is at.


"You’ve got to judge him now on his results, which is what we’ll do.

"AJ is back with Ben for his next fight [against Tyson Fury], and there is a reason for that.

"I signed off on that fight. At the end of the day, if any of them fight, that's down to me.

"I accept my responsibility for that, and everyone has to accept responsibility for it.

"You expect certain things to happen in fights and certain things to happen in training.


"It is what it is; we have to move and move forward. It is exciting times.”

Itauma, 21, is expected to return in early 2027. Then, the promoter said, “The proof will be in the pudding.

"Next year is going to be so exciting, and there are some good trainers,” Warren continued. “But what there isn't a lot of really good coaches that are around that teach boxing."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hrgovic is calling for a rematch..

[Eolaithe]

Frank Sánchez: “The news is that I am exercising my mandatory. The fight will happen as soon as Hrgović is ready. I understand it may be December or January.

“I look forward to beating Hrgović. I will win that fight and become the first Cuban Heavyweight Champion.

“For this, I am very motivated. I’m faster and stronger than Hrgović. When I’m healthy, no heavyweight can beat me.”

Also, according to talkSPORT, Fwank Warren says that Moses Itauma's comeback trail begins early next year (against a step down in opposition), but surprisingly, the team will remain the same, with Ben Davison remaining at the helm.

[MightyWarrior]

No surprise he’s staying with Davidson. A couple of days after the fight you had his manager Francis saying how it wasn’t Ben’s fault ( it never is ) and right there you knew he was staying.

Despite Frank hinting that Davidson needed to go: big changes needed etc pretty sure it was Francis and Ben who pushed for the fight too, despite Frank thinking it was too soon, he’s obviously letting Junior have his little project going here, but he’s not got his dads savvy and seems to be f*cking things up.

[KiwiRider]

Hrgovic is calling for a rematch..

I think he fancies it, but Frank Sanchez calls the shots doesn't he?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hrgovic is calling for a rematch..

I think he fancies it, but Frank Sanchez calls the shots doesn't he?

Yh. He wants his shot next.

[JC]

I love Hrgovic Sanchez as a fight.

[joshj909]

I love Hrgovic Sanchez as a fight.

It's just nice to have a fresh fight near the top of the division without the same recycled guys and rematches. This one's intriguing as it's speed and efficiency Vs size and pressure.

[KiwiRider]

I love Hrgovic Sanchez as a fight.

It's just nice to have a fresh fight near the top of the division without the same recycled guys and rematches. This one's intriguing as it's speed and efficiency Vs size and pressure.

X2
The heavyweights have been plagued with rematches. I get it, but it's boring.
Unfortunately I believe the Cuban Flash is maybe a few years past his prime.
So we won't see the best of him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Itauma slated for January return, Warren wants him to face 'a name'

Moses Itauma will sit out the rest of the year after his crushing ninth-round defeat to Filip Hrgovic in August.

Itauma was a red hot favorite to beat Hrgovic and claim the vacant IBF heavyweight title at 02 Arena but came unstuck after dominating the first eight rounds.

Now, while Hrgovic prepares for the first defense of his new belt, it is back to the drawing board for 21-year-old Itauma and his promoter Frank~Warren.

The Queensberry head confirmed it is very unlikely that Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) will box again this year with a January return pencilled in.

“It will be January, if not before,” Warren said during a roundtable discussion with British journalists. “But January is looking like the month. He wants to get back into the swing of things.

“We want to get him out as soon as possible. He wants to get back in the mix and be part of what's happening next year.

“I had a very constructive meeting with him and the team a couple of weeks ago. Now we've got to put into practise what we were talking about and the lessons to be learned.”

Itauma dropped to No. 8 in The Ring’s heavyweight rankings as a result of his first career defeat while 34-year-old Hrgovic is now No. 4.

The pair were cleared to box for the IBF title vacated by Oleksandr Usyk after Frank Sanchez, the No. 1 contender, agreed to step aside.

However, per the terms of that agreement, Hrgovic must face the Cuban, ranked at No. 6 by The Ring, in his next fight which ruled out an immediate rematch with Itauma.

Warren said: “Moses wanted a rematch with Hrgovic but that couldn't be done because obviously Filip has got Frank Sanchez next.

“We're looking at a couple of things at the moment and I'm quite confident that everybody will be happy with what we're going to do.”

When asked if he could name any potential opponents for Itauma’s comeback fight, Warren said: “I would like him to be in with somebody, a name to start with.

“I just want to get him out there and start the new year strong for him so he can focus on what he wants to do, which is to win a world title. He wasn't far off it.

“I believe 98 per cent of the heavyweights in the world would have been stopped by him that night but he just didn’t manage the fight correctly at the end of it.

“He’s a smart young man, I think he learned from it and it will stand him in good stead. In some ways, out of bad comes good. It’s a lesson learned and it gives him experience.”

[joshj909]

What are the chances that the 'name' is an old heavyweight such as Joyce or Wilder? Verhoeven would be a smart fight.

[wrighty]

Richard Riakporhe would be good

[KiwiRider]

Richard Riakporhe would be good

You don't think a slightly lower ranked guy first? Riakporhe is better than everyone Moses has fought apart from Hrg. He had Billam-Smith in a bit of trouble.
I would have thought just someone durable so they can help Moses pace himself - although that is done in the gym too.

[wrighty]

Maybe but if he is as good as people say then who knows? Maybe some tough eastern Bloc guys so he can pace himself a little and have a good fight

[londonwar]

Won't be back until next year ?
That's the problem. A novice runs out of gas against a punchbag. That's all that happened.
And it takes 4 to 5 months minimum before he can fight again?

[JC]

Richard Riakporhe would be good

You don't think a slightly lower ranked guy first? Riakporhe is better than everyone Moses has fought apart from Hrg. He had Billam-Smith in a bit of trouble.
I would have thought just someone durable so they can help Moses pace himself - although that is done in the gym too.

If they go down that route, I wonder is they could get Ivan Dychko. Not necessarily next but in order to go the distance.