Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte – Crossroads Battle Echoing Great All-British Fights

Every match made in a boxing career is, essentially, a “crossroads fight.” Come in 37,  and your time is up. But, Moses Itauma is truly at the “crossroads.”

Terminology widely applied to bouts between fighters on an upward trajectory and an opponent trying to arrest decline or prove it to be a false narrative. “Crossroads fights” tend to have something at stake for both parties subject to the grasp the veteran has on the remnants of his ambition and the potential that pulses beneath the novice’s bravado.

Advantages of youth versus the assurance of battle hardiness.

Moses Itauma Meets Veteran Dillian Whyte In True Cross Roads Battle

Reminiscing Some Memorable All-British Fights

Moses Itauma, aged 20, versus Dillian Whyte, 37 years young, possesses all the elements required to earn the cross roads moniker and is the latest in a long line of prospects facing off against an established name. Two examples from the heavyweight division:

1971 Henry Cooper v Joe Bugner

In a symmetry all to familiar to boxing fans, Henry Cooper was also 37 when he faced Joe Bugner for the British, European and Empire titles at Empire Pool, Wembley in March 1971. Bugner, who would later fight Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in back to back fights, was just 21-years-old on the night he became the villain of British boxing by outpointing the Nations’ favourite slugger. It would prove to be Our ‘Enry’s last bout and Cooper remained bitter about the outcome long in to retirement.

In truth, the fight was incredibly close and referee Harry Gibbs’ scorecard of 73 ¾ for Bugner, 73 ½ for Cooper, reflected the fractional margin between the two.

1987 Joe Bugner v Frank Bruno

It would stretch poetic license to describe Big Frank as a prospect in 1987, given he’d already fought and lost to Tim Witherspoon in 1986. However, he was still only 25-years-old and being positioned for a crack at the pre-eminent heavyweight Mike Tyson when he boxed 37-year-old Joe Bugner. Bugner, a naturalised Australian following his emigration from the UK, retained name value and had boxed and beaten James ‘Quick’ Tillis, David Bey and Greg Page in the preceding twelve months.

Bugner was crafty, but Bruno too strong and youthful and overcame the old man in the 8th. Bugner left with a large cheque and boxed on until 1999 in bouts of dwindling importance. He would never appear in a British ring again. Bruno was inactive until defeat to Tyson in 1989.

The omens are not good for Whyte.