Rather than spend too much time picking over the remains of the demolition job Itauma executed on Dillian Whyte last Saturday night, it’s probably a good time to consider where he goes next.
The speed, poise, feints, triggers and timing were all on display for two minutes against Whyte, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen from Itauma before.
The fact that the man in the opposite corner was one of the top ten heavyweights of the recent era adds a touch more kudos to the performance. But if we’re being honest, it was a poor showing from Whyte, and you wonder what he’s got left.
From Itauma’s point of view: done. Next.
Usyk’s name is whispered, but even Itauma acknowledges it’s not the wisest move. The division is littered with solid names, but not great ones at present. Usyk is the exception.
AJ has one foot out the door, the other waiting for the Fury fight next year. Queensberry won’t match Itauma with stablemate Daniel Dubois at this stage. That leaves Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel among the higher echelons of the division. Both are awaiting some form of title shot, so you’d think they wouldn’t risk that against Itauma.
So where does that leave him?
A match-up with a top ten opponent for a vacant title, if Usyk decides to call it a day and toss his bouquet of belts over his shoulder? Maybe.
But how about cleaning up the domestic scene first? At 20 years old, there’s no rush. He could continue gaining experience and getting those much-needed rounds under his belt.
Below, I look at some of the domestic challengers who might put their name forward.
Fabio Wardley
Part of the same Ben Davison stable as Itauma, it would be a difficult fight to make. Still, let’s discuss.
Wardley was recently given a boxing lesson by Australia’s Justis Huni. But, down by wide margins on all three scorecards, he pulled a rabbit out of the hat with an overhand right that ended matters in round 10.
Wardley is as tough as they come. No amateur background, and having plundered his way through the white-collar scene, he’s ended up as English, Commonwealth and British heavyweight champion. He currently sits at number 7 in the Ring Magazine rankings. Some achievement.
We’d like to see Itauma get some rounds under his belt. Wardley would provide that. How much he’d be able to land on Itauma in return is a concern, but you’d think he’d land something at some point to test Itauma’s chin.
I don’t know if they spar together, given they work out of the same gym, or if their paths have been deliberately kept apart.
If this fight could somehow be made, it would be an intriguing match-up that would put Itauma in good stead as he continues his journey.
David Adeleye
A poor performance from Adeleye last weekend saw him lose by wide unanimous decision to Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic. That said, he showed heart. Although he did nowhere near enough offensively, every time he did let his hands go, his power showed. He almost stopped Hrgovic in a memorable eighth round after being dropped himself earlier in the same session.
I’m sure he’d relish the challenge. Having been through the wringer with Hrgovic, he’d be confident he can cope in deep waters again.
Lawrence Okolie
Okolie previously posted a clip on social media of him finishing a sparring session with a 15-year-old Itauma, calling him a freak of nature. Now under Joe Gallagher, Okolie is looking to make waves in the heavyweight division after moving up from cruiserweight. He’s not pretty to watch, but he can dig. Having experienced Itauma up close, albeit a different beast back then, he’d be confident in his chances of producing an upset.
Hughie Fury
First cousin of Tyson, his career has gone absolutely nowhere in recent years. Now 30, he’s stuck in no man’s land but the Fury surname would draw attention. Again, he may be able to give Itauma some much-needed rounds.
Daniel Dubois
Wouldn’t this be a fight. The former IBF champ needs to find his way back into the mix after a crushing loss to the great Oleksandr Usyk. What better way than putting the new young pretender back in his place? But as both are high priorities on the Queensberry Promotional roster, it’s not likely we’ll see it any time soon.
Joe Joyce
Joyce hasn’t had a significant win since knocking out Joseph Parker nearly three years ago. Now nearly 40, slower and easier to hit than ever, this would be an X-rated match-up. It’s not a fight anyone needs to see.
The Itauma train is well and truly in full flow. The next few stops could be crucial. He’s with one of the most experienced heads in the game in Frank Warren, who will surely steer him carefully and keep him on the right track.
Images: Getty
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