British heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma has acknowledged he must bide his time and respect the established pecking order in his pursuit of a blockbuster showdown with unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk. The 21-year-old made these comments immediately following his dominant fifth-round stoppage victory against American veteran Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.
Itauma's Pragmatic Approach to Championship Ambitions
Despite amplifying calls for a future clash with Usyk through his stunning performance, Itauma offered a remarkably pragmatic perspective on the current landscape of the heavyweight division. "Listen, Usyk has earned the right to do whatever he wants," Itauma stated emphatically. "There's a pecking order that obviously I've got to respect."
The young Briton's victory was particularly noteworthy as he achieved something that both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte failed to accomplish in their respective bouts against Franklin - stopping the durable American inside the distance. This marked Itauma's 12th stoppage in his now perfect 14-fight professional career.
Building an Impressive Resume
"I've just turned 21, I've got Dillian Whyte, Demsey McKean, now Jermaine Franklin - knockouts, by the way - under my belt," Itauma highlighted when discussing his rapidly growing credentials. "I always knew I could do this but I didn't think it would be so soon. I've done what some other British heavyweights couldn't do and they've gone on to achieve successful things. So what's the limit for me?"
Both Usyk and Tyson Fury have previously dismissed the prospect of facing Itauma in recent months, citing his youth and relative inexperience as primary reasons. However, the Kent-born fighter's latest performance has undoubtedly strengthened his position as a genuine emerging contender in the division.
Immediate Future and Championship Pathways
While Usyk prepares for his upcoming bout against former world kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Itauma's promoter Frank Warren is already planning the next steps for his charge. Warren aims to have Itauma back in the ring by July, with longer-term ambitions focused on securing a world title opportunity later in the year.
The promotional push appears to be gaining significant momentum, with WBO president Gustavo Olivieri publicly stating on social media platform X that he would "formally recommend" Itauma be installed as mandatory challenger for the organization's title. Currently, Itauma holds the number one challenger position in both the WBO and WBA rankings.
Potential Opponents and Future Targets
Itauma revealed that Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic, a former IBF interim title challenger, sits atop his immediate wishlist for future opponents. "I just like the Hrgovic fight," Itauma explained. "It's nothing personal to these fighters. I've always just tried to strive for greatness and Hrgovic is a great fight for me."
However, with Hrgovic scheduled to face Dave Allen in Doncaster on May 16th, and fellow Briton Fabio Wardley - who shares trainer Ben Davison with Itauma - defending his WBO title against Daniel Dubois on May 9th, the young contender acknowledged the need for flexibility. "We've just got to go back to the drawing board and see who's available," he conceded.
Reflecting on his comprehensive victory against Franklin, Itauma expressed satisfaction with his performance. "I don't think it could have gone much better. I went the rounds that were necessary, I got the job done and for all you lot who wanted to ask me if I had a chin, I took a shot as well. I finally answered some questions and now it's about what's next."
Despite his clear ambition and growing confidence, Itauma maintains a respectful approach toward the established champions. "I don't pay attention to any of that, I don't really care what any of these other heavyweights think or feel," he stated. "I know what the truth is and I know the ability that I'm capable of. Now I've got to go out there and show it."
