Moses Itauma has the pefect opponent to prove he is on course to be next great heavyweight

Moses Itauma has been on the boxing radar since he was sparring Lawrence Okolie at 15-years-old. Five years on he is being talked about as the next great heavyweight champion.

That’s quite a weight to carry on young shoulders, especially when you have had only 12 pro fights. But this kid is happy to bear the expectation because he actually believes it.

I’ve observed him at close quarters in the gym and can attest to his talent, and the belief he has in himself. That may border on over-confidence sometimes, which can be a trap, leading you to underestimate opponents and overstate your own capabilities.

At some stage someone will take his shots and fire back. That’s when we will properly understand what Itauma is all about.

Dillian Whyte is tough, strong and determined. He takes a shot and he can bang. He’s the perfect opponent for Itauma at this stage of his career.

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Itauma is deceiving. He does not look intimidating. He’s not a Mike Tyson or a body-beautiful like Ken Norton. His physique is nothing of note.

But he knocks people out. This is his superpower. He looks to his opponents like an average Joe, until the bell goes and they walk into a hailstorm.

He punches with such power and precision. And Whyte is getting to the end of the road. So this is good matchmaking.

Dillian is not intimidated one bit. We have seen him in some real tear-ups over the years. He would fight anybody but when he walks on to a well-timed, accurate shot he is too tired and too worn to survive.

This kid has the talent to dominate. I was really impressed with his technique, his shot selection, power output and ring savvy, but like all talented prospects, it is how they deal with the shots that come back that tells you what their real prospects are.

Ultimately Whyte is too easy to find and Itauma’s southpaw left hook could become one of the sport’s great emblems in the next few years. It would be great to see him blast his way through the division and beat everybody. But to do that he will have to prove he can he walk through the fire when he’s tired.

I’m not sure Whyte can ask that question at this stage in his career. But at some point down the road somebody will. For now, this engagement ends by half way.

Follow Barry on X at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigans_Gym