Moses Itauma begins 2025 as one of boxing’s brightest prospects following an impressive run of fights that have positioned him as an emerging heavyweight threat.
Here, the DAZN News panel discusses whether the British heavyweight can become world champion during the next 12 months.
Chris Walker (DAZN News Boxing Editor)
This all depends on the governing bodies and how high Itauma can get himself ranked by his promotional team at Queensberry.
Frank Warren will do all he can to get Itauma into prosperous positions, but there’s plenty of contenders who will be lobbying for shots of their own.
Could a Oleksandr Usyk win over the victor of Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker this summer lead to the Ukrainian walking away as undisputed ruler and relinquishing all his belts?
That could see Itauma get in the title mix, but with the destiny of the belts likely to be down to numerous factors in 2025, it might just be a little bit early. That means that Itauma will be developed even more when his time likely arrives the following year.
Matt Astbury (DAZN News boxing reporter)
Following an explosive first round knockout of Demsey McKean on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2, it feels a world title opportunity will come sooner rather than later.
Whether it comes in 2025, I would be surprised. Currently, there seems to be a clear path for all four belts.
Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and WBC titles, will be laying low for a while after two gruelling battles with Fury, and the IBF title is set to be contested between defending champion Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker on February 22 live on DAZN.
Whoever wins that bout will either be involved in a rematch, or face Usyk for undisputed, meaning Itauma, in my eyes, will have to wait until 2026.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Derek Bilton (Boxing Writer)
Itauma looks the real deal. Indeed, it is scarcely believable that this kid from Chatham had less than 30 amateur fights, given how good he has looked since turning pro.
He arguably stole the show on the Usyk vs Fury 2 bill with his blowout of Demsey McKean. While that win was impressive, the finish was delivered with a nonchalance which suggests ‘Enriko’ could be ready for the very best this year.
While he has enormous potential, a fight with Usyk in 2025 might be overly ambitious in terms of matchmaking. The Ukrainian is after all a fistic genius, but ‘Team Itauma’ will also be very aware Usyk is also 37 and in the winter of his career, and so may aim their man elsewhere.
Kubrat Pulev holds a version of the WBA belt, and Itauma would surely be a warm order in the betting if he met the Bulgarian for the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title at any point over the next 12 months.
Gareth Jones (DAZN News Editor)
Frank Warren has very rarely, if ever, rushed his fighters. He protects and develops his young charges, aptly picking the right next level of opponent as their fledging careers grows and blooms.
It is a tactic that has led Queensbury to boast a stunning stable of heavyweights. So, why change methods now?
Moses Itauma is clearly a special talent, already box office. If the temptation was in the back of Warren's mind to ever gamble it would surely be with him. But where is the real benefit? Especially with the heavyweight division so congested at the contender end with older fighters.
With Fury, Joshua and Usyk in the latter stages of their careers, boxing is likely to need an Itauma figure to be the next box office star for the next decade. Warren, Itauma, and boxing need to continue to play the long game.
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