BoxRec

Moses Itauma: Rising star is set to return to action on July 25 at London's O2 arena after Jermaine Franklin win

After blasting through Jermaine Franklin in just five rounds, Moses Itauma has a date set for his return to action; He will box at London's O2 arena on July 25 with the opponent yet to be confirmed; The WBO are due to make Itauma the mandatory challenger for their heavyweight championship

Moses Itauma will return to the ring on July 25. The rising heavyweight star is set to fight at the O2 arena in London with his opponent yet to be confirmed.

It will be the 21-year-old's first bout since he blasted his way into world championship contention with a stunning demolition of American gatekeeper Jermaine Franklin.

That victory saw the WBO announce that Itauma would become the mandatory challenger for their heavyweight world title.

WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley defends that title against Daniel Dubois on May 9.

While Itauma won't fight the winner in his next bout, if he passes his upcoming test on July 25 he will be in the frame for a world title challenge.

Wardley and Itauma are gym-mates and so a title clash with Dubois appeals more to Itauma.

Itauma previously told Sky Sports: "If Fabio wins then it'll be sticky but if Dubois wins, then that fight makes sense.

"So we'll see."

Both Wardley and Dubois were ringside observers for Itauma's devastating victory over Franklin.

"I don't think they're worried. I think they're both like 'Oh [wow]. This guy's in my division,'" Itauma said.

"I think deep inside they probably both had the same reaction. I think Fabio managed to, I guess, hide it a bit better."

Labinot Xhoxhaj? Nelson Hysa? David Adeleye?

Makhmudov. An early ko is great publicity.

Can't see it being much of an upgrade on Franklin if it's a mark time fight

deadpan wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 14:08 Makhmudov. An early ko is great publicity.

Yep, that'd be the move. Makh beat Dave Allen in the last year, lost a decision to Fury, and won a few rounds here and there in the fight. If Itauma can blast him out early it's a big boost to his notoriety.

Some rumours Andy Ruiz.

I’m sure he’d want a lot of money.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 14:39 Some rumours Andy Ruiz.

I’m sure he’d want a lot of money.

A win over a Former Champion always looks good on the record, plus Ruiz is another guy that would most likely give him rounds. So that'd be a good one too.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 14:39 Some rumours Andy Ruiz.

I’m sure he’d want a lot of money.

A other inactive, geriatric former guy. What's next? Klitschko and Holyfield?

Not makmudov, not hrgovic, not allen, not Jake paul,

Someone interesting please

It will be Tony Yoka of course. Why do you think the Paris show was pulled instead of a replacement for Okolie.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 14:14

deadpan wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 14:08 Makhmudov. An early ko is great publicity.

Yep, that'd be the move. Makh beat Dave Allen in the last year, lost a decision to Fury, and won a few rounds here and there in the fight. If Itauma can blast him out early it's a big boost to his notoriety.

Not for me, Mak's already been stopped twice, Itaumo blasting him out only proves how poor Fury was.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 15:53

gilgamesh wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 14:14

deadpan wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 14:08 Makhmudov. An early ko is great publicity.

Yep, that'd be the move. Makh beat Dave Allen in the last year, lost a decision to Fury, and won a few rounds here and there in the fight. If Itauma can blast him out early it's a big boost to his notoriety.

Not for me, Mak's already been stopped twice, Itaumo blasting him out only proves how poor Fury was.

And how much better Itauma looks by comparison.

londonwar wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 15:25 Not makmudov, not hrgovic, not allen, not Jake paul,

Someone interesting please

Who is interesting for you

veriton wrote: ↑22 Apr 2026, 15:43 It will be Tony Yoka of course. Why do you think the Paris show was pulled instead of a replacement for Okolie.

I thought this. A very beatable olympic gold medalist. Either that or Joe Joyce, a very beatable olympic silver medalist.

There are much more interesting fights out there before he possibly faces Dubois for the belt. Hrgovic, Riakporhe, Bakole, Wilder or Miller would do the trick. He'd be favourite to beat all of them but they're definitely more interesting for different reasons.

Gassiev or Vianello are probably the only other possible acceptable options

Justin Huni. Wardley took 10 rounds to get to him.

I think Moses could smash this kid leading to a big fight with Wardley himself end of the year.

I think Vianello and Huni are higher risk, lower reward. Gassiev is more likely because Frank will call him a world champion after.

Hrgovic was promised a big fight against one of Frank's guys should he beat Allen. Gassiev will have to defend his belt as a mandatory, probably against Itauma. Dubois, if he beats Wardley, has been discussed as an opponent. Yoka just pulled from that fight has been discussed. Ruiz has also been rumoured. Those are probably the favourites for his next relevant fight but it's whether he fights anyone easier in the meantime.

Surely it’s gassieve for a “world title”…

o2 is ambitious for Ituama

lefthook82 wrote: ↑23 Apr 2026, 05:01 o2 is ambitious for Ituama

He was at co-op live last month..

I mean it wasn't a sell out.

Not really sure how much they did, but the whole arena was open.

Mike Pirez hasn't an opponent on the wardley v dubious card in may. Get him fighting Pirez

MasterG wrote: ↑23 Apr 2026, 06:31 Mike Pirez hasn't an opponent on the wardley v dubious card in may. Get him fighting Pirez

The 40 year old former cruiserweight? That does sound exactly like the type of opponent that Frank lines up for his "generational talents".

MasterG wrote: ↑23 Apr 2026, 02:27 Justin Huni. Wardley took 10 rounds to get to him.

I think Moses could smash this kid leading to a big fight with Wardley himself end of the year.

Huni would be the most interesting at that level plus he hasn't much of a punch so less danger of putting Itauma on his backside

tony1234 wrote: ↑23 Apr 2026, 11:13

MasterG wrote: ↑23 Apr 2026, 02:27 Justin Huni. Wardley took 10 rounds to get to him.

I think Moses could smash this kid leading to a big fight with Wardley himself end of the year.

Huni would be the most interesting at that level plus he hasn't much of a punch so less danger of putting Itauma on his backside

And maybe a bit chinny