Former cruiserweight world champion names ‘perfect fight’ for ‘absolutely exceptional’ Moses Itauma

Moses Itauma enjoyed, which has rolled into a vital year for the 20-year-old, who is set to return to action in December. Itauma is a KO machine, which saw him blow away Dillian Whyte on August 16. Many have speculated what could be next for the Queensberry fighter, and former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew named the “perfect fight” for Ituama in an exclusive interview with Pundit Arena.

Tony Bellew names the ‘perfect fight’ for Moses Itauma

Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) has been linked with fights against Joseph Parker and, more recently, Frank Sanchez, among others. Whoever is next for Itauma, the 20-year-old is clearly on an upward curve. 

His more recent wins over Mariuz Wach, Demsey McKean, and Mike Balogun before the Whyte demolition showed an exceptional finishing instinct for someone with so few professional fights.

He possesses exceptional movement and carries devastating power. 

Many are tipping Itauma for the top, and one of those is Bellew, the former WBC king, who praised Itauma but recognised the 20-year-old needs rounds: 

“Moses has got to go past six rounds. No one can be picking Moses against the top-level heavyweights if he hasn’t been past six rounds. I don’t doubt how good he is. I think he’s absolutely exceptional.

“But you will never know how good he is until he goes past six rounds. I thought Andy Ruiz would be the perfect fight for him. I think Andy Ruiz throws enough shots. He comes to win. He ain’t lying down for nobody. I think that would be a really good fight to make.” 

Moses Itauma’s next opponent

Moses Itauma vs Andy Ruiz would be an acid test for the Slovakian-born Brit, with Ruiz possessing a tough chin and plenty of power of his own. Jermaine Franklin has been linked with facing Itauma, and the American recently got the biggest win of his career on the Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez undercard against Ivan Dychko. 

Franklin is a fight that’s clearly been considered by Team Itauma, with the southpaw revealing his thoughts about potentially facing Oleksandr Usyk, before mentioning his team are keen for him to face Franklin:

“I’d love that as well,” Itauma told The Ring. “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.”