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MOSES ITAUMA SET FOR DEC. 13 RETURN IN MANCHESTER IN BIGGEST TEST YET

LONDON — Heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma will return to the ring December 13 in the main event of Queensberry’s next Manchester show.

The 20-year-old (13-0, 11 KOs) is coming off a brutal 119-second destruction of former world heavyweight title challenger Dillian Whyte in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on August 16.

His promoter, allegedly, has confirmed that Itauma will be out one more time before the end of the year and that the undefeated southpaw will face a top-10 heavyweight for the first time in his career.

Itauma moved up to 10th in The Ring’s heavyweight rankings after his victory over Whyte while he is ranked at No. 1 (WBA/WBO). The IBF have him fifth and the WBC have him at 11.

It has been a question of when and not if Itauma will fight for a world title since he turned professional at 18 in December 2022, and it seems almost certain that first opportunity will come at some point in 2026.

But before that he will step up once more and face another of the division’s contenders in what will be his biggest fight on British soil to date.

Warren told allegedly: “It will be December 13 in Manchester.

“He’s No. 1 with two organisations now. [The opponent] will be somebody in the top 10, of course. Manchester will be sold out with Moses.”

It is understood that Filip Hrgovic, who beat David Adeleye on the undercard of Itauma’s win over Whyte, is one of the names being considered for the clash. When The Ring spoke to Itauma’s manager Francis Warren earlier this summer, he named Hrgovic as a potential opponent depending on the outcome against Adeleye.

“I really do believe this man has everything in his arsenal to do some serious damage,” Warren said. “Not just against Dillian but also over the next five, six, seven months against those guys who are going to help him climb the ladder.

“People like the winner of Hrgovic-Adeleye, Otto Wallin, Kubrat Pulev perhaps. There are some guys out there that I’ve got my eye on.”

A different name that was put to Warren’s Hall of Fame father, Frank, was Daniel Dubois, who is looking to get back in the hunt for world titles following his stoppage defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed title fight at Wembley Stadium on July 19.

Although Itauma-Dubois is not in the plan just yet, Warren believes it is an encounter which will grow to be as big as the long-awaited showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

Warren said: “That’s a massive fight one day. Moses against anybody is a big fight.

"That will be like an AJ against Tyson fight. Look at AJ, he’s coming off a few losses as well.”

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Sep 2025, 17:16
“People like the winner of Hrgovic-Adeleye, Otto Wallin, Kubrat Pulev perhaps. There are some guys out there that I’ve got my eye on.”

- Hrgovic is easy to hit and cuts quickly. Quite slow moving but has an iron chin.

- Adeleye is rubbish.

- Wallin is feather fisted and not technically great. He is a spoiler who fights ugly.

- Pulev is as old as they come. He's good at surviving and fighting ugly but one big shot would probably put him down.

Itauma vs Hrgovic is definitely the best matchup there but he's stylistically quite good for Itauma. The other fights are not good fights.

There has been some pretty impressive lobbying going on there to have Itauma as no1 ranked contender with the WBO and WBA without having fought a top 10 ranked fighter.

Wait and see how Franklin goes vs Dychco. If he wins or loses competitive on points fight him.

Pulev is 500

Hrg is good but will the cuts be healed?

Adeley isn’t bad but just got 100-90’d

I think Frank always does a pre-Christmas show doesn’t he? I wonder if there’s a specific money reason, or it’s just a traditional thing with him.

Quite often heavyweights I think so usually there’s a turkey involved

So by the time December comes around it will be 4 months since his last bout....and that's assuming nothing prevents it from going ahead

After an ultra quick blowout of Whyte, as a prospect, Ituama should be out again much sooner.

Too many boxers seem to spend too much of their career training (or not training) rather actually boxing IMO.

I still think Pulev will be the opponent. Wba regular title will sound good to the casual fans.
It will be another easy fight and they will use the Hrg cut as the excuse why he was not chosen

tiny_acres wrote: ↑07 Sep 2025, 11:27 I still think Pulev will be the opponent. Wba regular title will sound good to the casual fans.
It will be another easy fight and they will use the Hrg cut as the excuse why he was not chosen

They would just call it WBA world title

They wouldn’t even mention the regular.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑07 Sep 2025, 11:29

tiny_acres wrote: ↑07 Sep 2025, 11:27 I still think Pulev will be the opponent. Wba regular title will sound good to the casual fans.
It will be another easy fight and they will use the Hrg cut as the excuse why he was not chosen

They would just call it WBA world title

They wouldn’t even mention the regular.

Yes sir. They will have a claim to the world championship with very limited risk.
It makes the most sense

Moses Itauma has rejected an IBF final eliminator fight against Frank Sanchez that would have led to a world title challenge against Oleksandr Usyk

Heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma’s return is being planned for December in the U.K.; two names being considered are Michael Hunter and David Adeleye, as reported on @InsideRingShow. Zhilei Zhang, Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic were all explored. Itauma could be paired with Derek Chisora in separate fights or as the main event of his own show.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 16:56 Heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma’s return is being planned for December in the U.K.; two names being considered are Michael Hunter and David Adeleye, as reported on @InsideRingShow. Zhilei Zhang, Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic were all explored. Itauma could be paired with Derek Chisora in separate fights or as the main event of his own show.

David Adeleye

If it's down to Adeleye and Michael Hunter, I'd prefer Hunter. Given that it's the U.K. though, it'll surely be Adeleye.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 17:43 If it's down to Adeleye and Michael Hunter, I'd prefer Hunter. Given that it's the U.K. though, it'll surely be Adeleye.

Think it would be an early night v Adeleye, Hunter is a trickier customer.

Nevertheless FW knows exactly what he is doing

But Moses needs rounds......

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 16:56 Heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma’s return is being planned for December in the U.K.; two names being considered are Michael Hunter and David Adeleye, as reported on @InsideRingShow. Zhilei Zhang, Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic were all explored. Itauma could be paired with Derek Chisora in separate fights or as the main event of his own show.

Adeleye is the worst option of the lot. He shouldn't test Itauma one bit. It also doesn't built him up to casual fans. What happened to them wanting Usyk? They clearly don't actually think he's ready for that

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 17:22
David Adeleye

I believe Keef, this is the correct emoticon for the selection of Adeleye for Itauma=

Is Adeley a bad fight for Moses?

I would have Adeley a favorite vs everyone Moses has beat. (The version Moses fought not the prime version).. He is pretty tough and can punch a bit. He definatly dosent let his hands go enough, but If it becomes a shootout early I imagine he will trade a bit.

I don’t hate it. If he sparks him early turn him around quick again. At least he is young, angry and has some ambition.

(He is bad in the context of fwank saying he would beat Usyk now… but that’s promoter talk, just look at Moses career not his promoters).

gregregegg wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 18:39 Is Adeley a bad fight for Moses?

For me, it's the difference in speed, and the fact he has had two poor showings.
He has also dropped the British, so that isn't on the table either. If Fwank wants to charge us to see Itauma - he can spend the money and get a decent PPV worthy opponent- or Adeleye if it's free

gregregegg wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 18:39 Is Adeley a bad fight for Moses?

I would have Adeley a favorite vs everyone Moses has beat. (The version Moses fought not the prime version).. He is pretty tough and can punch a bit. He definatly dosent let his hands go enough, but If it becomes a shootout early I imagine he will trade a bit.

I don’t hate it. If he sparks him early turn him around quick again. At least he is young, angry and has some ambition.

(He is bad in the context of fwank saying he would beat Usyk now… but that’s promoter talk, just look at Moses career not his promoters).

Turn him around quick again? How about turn him around quick the first time. His 1 round blowout over Dillian Whyte was like a month and a half ago. He could've done knocked out 2 more stiffs by now

Age and a need for rounds lead to a conservative decision on the part of Itauma's people. I can understand it but I expect him to be the man by the end of 2026. Foreman fought 37 times in the first 40 months of his career. I wish that were possible in this era for a guy like Moses Itauma.

goose 5 wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 20:25 Age and a need for rounds lead to a conservative decision on the part of Itauma's people. I can understand it but I expect him to be the man by the end of 2026. Foreman fought 37 times in the first 40 months of his career. I wish that were possible in this era for a guy like Moses Itauma.

I honestly think there's a very strong chance he'd beat Usyk if he fought him next. He seems to have all the tools. Speed, power, height and reach, a good jab. All that is gonna make him a difficult night for almost anybody.

I know Usyk has a sh*t load more experience, but at a certain point experience just becomes wear and tear on your body, and Usyk can't be far off from hitting that point.

I hope in 2026 we see Itauma go for it against Usyk. Whether he wins or not, I think it'd be the right move for his career regardless.

It would also be potentially the biggest possible win Usyk could get on his way out. So everyone involved would have reason for wanting to take the fight.

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑04 Sep 2025, 17:55 There has been some pretty impressive lobbying going on there to have Itauma as no1 ranked contender with the WBO and WBA without having fought a top 10 ranked fighter.

Not to mention whilst all along stating .hes young hes inexperienced its silly to match him with someone who can hit back. Masterclass in promoting and talking

gilgamesh wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 21:19

goose 5 wrote: ↑29 Sep 2025, 20:25 Age and a need for rounds lead to a conservative decision on the part of Itauma's people. I can understand it but I expect him to be the man by the end of 2026. Foreman fought 37 times in the first 40 months of his career. I wish that were possible in this era for a guy like Moses Itauma.

I honestly think there's a very strong chance he'd beat Usyk if he fought him next. He seems to have all the tools. Speed, power, height and reach, a good jab. All that is gonna make him a difficult night for almost anybody.

Itauma, his team and his promoter clearly don't agree with you.

MICHAEL HUNTER, DAVID ADELEYE EXPLORED AS OPTIONS FOR MOSES ITAUMA DEC. 13 IN MANCHESTER

Moses Itauma is having trouble finding an opponent for his next fight on Dec. 13 in Manchester.

According to The Ring's Mike Coppinger, however, two names being explored are Michael Hunter and David Adeleye.

Coppinger divulged the news on the latest episode of "Inside The Ring", on DAZN, noting that efforts to get the likes of Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang on board for a fight with Itauma have fallen by the wayside.

Hunter hasn't been in action since last December, when he stopped Christian Larrondo Garcia in the fifth round. Adeleye fought in the summer against Hrgovic and lost by unanimous decision.

Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs), perhaps the most exciting young talent in boxing today, was last in action against Dillian Whyte on Aug. 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the same night Adeleye lost to Hrgovic.

The fight was supposed to be the 20-year-old's first litmus test but it was anything but as Itauma stopped his man inside two minutes at ANB Arena.

Itauma is The Ring's No. 9-ranked heavyweight and he's No. 1 with the WBA and WBO. The WBC has him at No. 4 while the IBF ranks him fifth.

A future fight with the winner of Joseph Parker-Fabio Wardley, who will clash for the pair's respective WBO and WBA "interim" belts on Oct. 25 in London, could take place in 2026.

Should Ring and undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk vacate either or both of those two belts, Itauma would be in line to fight for a full version of a title in the next 12 months.

New episodes of “Inside The Ring” premiere every Monday on DAZN at 2 p.m. ET and 11 a.m. PT.

Adeleye is crap.