Moses Itauma “would love” to face this boxer after demolition of Dillian Whyte

Moses Itauma (13-0) proved he is one of the most promising young heavyweights by knocking out Dillian Whyte (31-4) in the first round of their fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The British fighter, born in Slovakia, successfully defended his WBO Intercontinental title.

The brutal assault began with 1:40 left in the opening round. Itauma landed a stiff jab to the body, lowering Whyte’s guard, and then unleashed a series of punishing combinations that rocked his rival back into the ropes.

He didn’t let up. A crushing right hand to the left temple floored Whyte face-first with 1:10 still on the clock. Within seconds, referee Mikael Hook waved it off, as the veteran was unable to get back on his feet.

Turki Alalshikh wants Itauma vs Usyk

Who Itauma faces next is uncertain, but what is clear is that he is now a serious contender for the world titles. Oleksandr Usyk currently holds all the belts – WBO, IBF, WBC and WBA – making him the undisputed heavyweight champion.

A more realistic matchup for Itauma would be against Germany’s Agit Kabayel or New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, the interim champions of the WBC and WBO, respectively. Still, Turki Alalshikh, the most powerful figure in boxing promotion, told Ring Magazine that he would like to see Itauma take on Usyk.

“I’d love that as well,” Itauma said about the idea. “And even if not Usyk, then the guys that deserve to fight Usyk, so Parker, [Kabayel], whatnot. But I know that my team is stressing me getting rounds, so that’s why they said Jermaine Franklin would be a good name.”

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