Moses Itauma is an incredible talent at only 20 years old but who should he fight next?
Except Usyk, he would be favourite against most boxers.
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Moses Itauma is an incredible talent at only 20 years old but who should he fight next?
Except Usyk, he would be favourite against most boxers.
As we all keep saying we need him to get some rounds in.
I don't think the Dubois match up is a bad idea or too early. Someone like Zhang too risky. Parker will give him a few rounds.
But if I had to put my money on it I think he'll go straight in with Usyk. The offer will be too great.
Put him in with AJ.
filip hrgovic
wardley
First thought was to go on durability but thinking about it, he has to face some craftiness. He's already shown he can break thru stationary walls. What about a guy like Hunter? Hard to ignore the dye already being cast for him as he's being personally maneuvered to a strap. Sit's top 5 right now in 3 of the 4 bodies. And that's before he vaporized Whyte yesterday. Almost feels like a Zander Zayas jet pack strapped to his back, putting the horse ahead of the cart.
I can really see them forcing scenario on Usyk and Usyk, rightly so, lets the belt drop with Itauma for vacant. Does anyone see Parker taking Itauma for Wbo rather than Usyk? That would be pulling the rug out from under Usyk. We already know where the push is. Downright disrespectful :-X
Usyk is who Itauma should fight next.
All this talk of "No !! Don't go near Usyk ?"
What ?
His last fight against Dubois was the first time I've seen him give a real beat-down and total schooling of not only an elite HW, but any elite fighter. Even as a cruiser, he wasn't really running the elites out of the ring.
His two fights with AJ and Fury were very competitive (especially the second fights). His fight against Derek Chisora was also very competitive, and many thought that in Usyk Vs Dubois 1. That was a legal shot by DDD and he should have got the belt.
Usyk isn't incredibly skilled in any area. He's good in all areas. He's the "finds a way to win" guy.
Which is awesome.
But just imagine for a second that you didn't know who Usyk was, and you watched him fight.
I think, if you were being honest, you'd be underwhelmed with his power, his speed....you'd see he has good defence and feet but isn't a shockingly talented fighter. He just frustrates guys with his toughness and he's reshaped what being "in shape" truly means. But online I've seen many (and I mean many) say he's better than Ali and would have beaten him, never mind Ali I would not be confident that Usyk would have beaten either prime Klitchko's, especially Vitali. It's amazing to me that ppl are talking all this BIG SH*T about a guy whose only had 24 fights.
Now don't get me wrong Usyk is 220 pounds of elite boxing ability. A gap in his teeth to help air intake and stamina. Balls the size of Ukraine. A chin made of titanium. The fighting heart of a gorilla. Feints that give would give a bodybuilder a seizure.
But
Itauma would win.
His boxing method is
- He pot shots you (light jab)
- Trying to get you to counter
- If you do counter, he steps back, makes you miss, then counters your counter
- Then if his counter hurts, he’s unleash his full arsenal at you
- If his counter doesn't hurt then, it's rinse and repeat and back to #1
I think that style would be very very effective against Usyk
Now he’d have to do that consistently. He'd have to bring it. Bite down on the mouthpiece and rough Usyk's ass up. Educated pressure, high fitness levels and a having a good chin are good ingredients. Punch variety along with decent pop in your shots also helps. Wait for Uysk to throw first and beat him at his own game.
Then when the bombs drop ?
ALL OUT WAR
Itauma is a fighter that can go from 0 to 100 in a second. He's a twitchy bastard and no-one is going to live with his hand speed...... even usyk.
Turki isn't grooming anyone and apparently and more importantly he want's to see Usyk Vs Itauma next
Moses Itauma will show Usyk something he's never seen before! Itauma isn't a huge, sluggish heavyweight that gasses in 5 rounds! He's a fast, patient, hard hitting southpaw with great defense and counters! Usyk is in trouble MARK MY WORDS!
calm down tony bellew
How can you rubbish Usyk? @Denilson3.0
The man has literally beaten todays best, bigger and stronger heavyweights (twice). Usyk is getting better with age.
I agree Usyk beating, bigger stronger guys are great accomplishments. He is this generations finest. But great accomplishments don't make you a great fighter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Both of Usyks best at HW wins have aged badly already. Fury barely beat an mma fighter in his boxing debut and AJ was destroyed in a few rounds recently,
And when you consider that Usyk didn’t show he’s in different to league to AJ or Fury, nor did he show that with the elites at cruiser that’s very telling.
Usyk has limited power, he hasn’t got a great, long jab, and he’s shown vulnerabilities to body shots and fighting on the inside.
I’m not saying he’s not a very good fighter. He is, but you can still be a very good fighter and overrated at the same time. Canelo and Tank come to mind
Let alone the elites. Guys like Tony Tucker, David Tua, Ray Mercer, Razor Ruddock, Tommy Morrison, Shannon Briggs, Corrie Saunders, would give him hell
I think Itauma beats Usyk. I could well be wrong, but that's what I think.
Fury beat Wlad and Wilder. AJ unified titles and beat Wlad in a great fight. Both are the next best this generation had. Usyk beat them both twice when no one else could.
Usyk fought all his cruiser weight title fights away from home. Some were very hard and close fights. They were top boxers.
You are not appreciating a generational great.
We'll just agree to disagree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
feed him to jai
lol...Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
I was only thinking earlier, this is going to be the biggest fight on the planet in a few years time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
i was part joking but not really. jai could realistically step up & mix it with anyone at heavy right nowQuote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraI was only thinking earlier, this is going to be the biggest fight on the planet in a few years time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
what about guido vianello? it'd be nice to compare how he does with how richard torrez did
Any boxer that will give Moses rounds to bank in his career will be good right now. The comparison to another young boxer will be a good reminder to everyone not to rush Itauma as he needs time to develop.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
He looks like a very hot prospect, but that’s all he is at the moment. He has had 13 fights … Mike Tyson’s 13 th fight was Conroy Nelson (15-7-2), Cassius Clay’s 13th fight was George Logan (24-7-1), George Foreman’s 13th fight was Gary Wiler (4-4).
Those guys are legends of the ring, but does anybody think they were ready to get in the ring against Oleksander Usyk in their next fight?
Usyk”s 13th fight was against Marco Huck!
Itauma needs rounds under his belt, he needs a few tough moments, he needs to get cracked on the chin and he needs to develop into a more complete fighter.
Realistically he needs to be looking at durable ‘gatekeepers’ next, like Ajagba, Bakole or even a name like Ruiz next.
uido vianello has a fight now set for october so he's out of the running
Stop abusing Bakole's name. He is not all of that.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
I said a while back that Jai will eventually go up to HW and will probably win a title. Now Moses has come on strong, this could be a rivalry for the ages. Proper Barnstormer.Quote:
Originally Posted by TICi was part joking but not really. jai could realistically step up & mix it with anyone at heavy right nowQuote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraI was only thinking earlier, this is going to be the biggest fight on the planet in a few years time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
I saw Okolie interviewed yesterday and he said he would fight Moses next.
I’m not a massive fan of Okolie, but he spoke really well in this interview. He said when Moses was 15 and he was preparing for a World CW Shot, Moses gave him a really good spar.
He spoke very highly of Itauma and said he’s a big fan of his and he’s not a fan of many boxers.
Then Kugan asked him if he would fight him next and he didn’t hesitate and said yes.
He wasn’t being cocky, he said he’s intrigued to see exactly where Moses is , and he’s only gonna get better and better, so now might be a good time.
He couldn’t speak highly enough of Itauma.
Actually wouldn't have been a bad one. Definitely think Itauma wins but in Guido you got many of the perimeter matters that you want to see a promising prospect deal with very early. The massive height, he's sturdy range the sheer awkwardness and ability to make it ugly and gritty at the same time. He showed that with Torrez and honestly I don't think Torrez showed much adjustment or gears with Guido.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
The thing is now all of these 'learning' rungs on the ladder are out of the window as he's been propelled straight to #1 and #2. It reminds me of a Berto or Wilder scenario....nooooo he's not on that lower level in skill...but it'll all be learning on the job among some of the best now. People can anoint him guaranteed gold off of a collection of 1-2 rounders sure, but it's still putting the cart before the horse similarly. If that makes sense.
Richard Torrez Jr or Stephen Shaw or Ajagba if not Wardley...
not trying to be a dick but would you expect lawrence to say he wouldn't fight moses? i'd fight moses tomorrow for a nice turki purse. it is a good level fight for moses though, he'll walk right through lawrence, if you're getting dropped all over the ring by chris billam-smith, moses is going to splatter you. lawrence is right though that now might be the best time to get him, hasn't been in deep waters, never had to face adversity, still developingQuote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraI said a while back that Jai will eventually go up to HW and will probably win a title. Now Moses has come on strong, this could be a rivalry for the ages. Proper Barnstormer.Quote:
Originally Posted by TICi was part joking but not really. jai could realistically step up & mix it with anyone at heavy right nowQuote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraI was only thinking earlier, this is going to be the biggest fight on the planet in a few years time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
I saw Okolie interviewed yesterday and he said he would fight Moses next.
I’m not a massive fan of Okolie, but he spoke really well in this interview. He said when Moses was 15 and he was preparing for a World CW Shot, Moses gave him a really good spar.
He spoke very highly of Itauma and said he’s a big fan of his and he’s not a fan of many boxers.
Then Kugan asked him if he would fight him next and he didn’t hesitate and said yes.
He wasn’t being cocky, he said he’s intrigued to see exactly where Moses is , and he’s only gonna get better and better, so now might be a good time.
He couldn’t speak highly enough of Itauma.
kind of reminds me of shu shu in a way, how he was getting rank highly & talked about as the naoya destroyer before running into sulaiman segawa & some speed wobbles appearedQuote:
Originally Posted by SpicoliActually wouldn't have been a bad one. Definitely think Itauma wins but in Guido you got many of the perimeter matters that you want to see a promising prospect deal with very early. The massive height, he's sturdy range the sheer awkwardness and ability to make it ugly and gritty at the same time. He showed that with Torrez and honestly I don't think Torrez showed much adjustment or gears with Guido.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
The thing is now all of these 'learning' rungs on the ladder are out of the window as he's been propelled straight to #1 and #2. It reminds me of a Berto or Wilder scenario....nooooo he's not on that lower level in skill...but it'll all be learning on the job among some of the best now. People can anoint him guaranteed gold off of a collection of 1-2 rounders sure, but it's still putting the cart before the horse similarly. If that makes sense.
Moses is at that stage where promoters want to test him and get him some much needed experience of rounds. However most of the better opponents are ranked and that will cost them financially to challenge them. He should stay active and take on durable spoilers who will not mind the exposure and pay day.
That’s a fair comment . But he could’ve chose to be diplomatic and rolled out the old “we’re both on our own paths” line. Because if Itauma beats him , it puts him way back in line, so he would need Turki money.Quote:
Originally Posted by TICnot trying to be a dick but would you expect lawrence to say he wouldn't fight moses? i'd fight moses tomorrow for a nice turki purse. it is a good level fight for moses though, he'll walk right through lawrence, if you're getting dropped all over the ring by chris billam-smith, moses is going to splatter you. lawrence is right though that now might be the best time to get him, hasn't been in deep waters, never had to face adversity, still developingQuote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraI said a while back that Jai will eventually go up to HW and will probably win a title. Now Moses has come on strong, this could be a rivalry for the ages. Proper Barnstormer.Quote:
Originally Posted by TICi was part joking but not really. jai could realistically step up & mix it with anyone at heavy right nowQuote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraI was only thinking earlier, this is going to be the biggest fight on the planet in a few years time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
I saw Okolie interviewed yesterday and he said he would fight Moses next.
I’m not a massive fan of Okolie, but he spoke really well in this interview. He said when Moses was 15 and he was preparing for a World CW Shot, Moses gave him a really good spar.
He spoke very highly of Itauma and said he’s a big fan of his and he’s not a fan of many boxers.
Then Kugan asked him if he would fight him next and he didn’t hesitate and said yes.
He wasn’t being cocky, he said he’s intrigued to see exactly where Moses is , and he’s only gonna get better and better, so now might be a good time.
He couldn’t speak highly enough of Itauma.
I just thought the way he conducted the interview was spot on. I would hope that Itauma would beat Okolie because I prefer watching him. But it would be a good name for sure. Somebody who has fought at the top level , albeit at a different weight, and not a dinosaur.someone with his own ambitions.
i think we're both on the same page. i just think any heavyweight right now if asked directly, would say they would fight moses next, especially with turki's interest in him. i think most of us agree that moses should keep active & gain experience against guys that will help develop him. right now i think justis would be a major test. i think turki can afford to pay for a few of these types of opponents. it would build his recognition & help him progress. i just hope turki & co don't just leap in & go after joseph, agit or oleksandr for a few more fights
“Moses Itauma been offered that fight, Hrgovic," said Warren of the towering 6ft 6in Olympic bronze medallist.
"There’s two ways to say you don’t want the fight: you either say you don’t want the fight or you want a trillion pounds for it.”
"We will be announcing an opponent in the next week or ten days, hopefully, for a fight in Manchester in December," continued Warren.
"His mentality is that he wants to fight anybody.
"We do have to temper that, but he's not brash, he's not a Jack the Lad, and he's not one of them with plenty of chat.
"He doesn't have to do that; he does it so well in the ring."
If Turki Alalshikh had it his way, then Itauma would be squaring off with Oleksandr Usyk next.
But Itauma's team want their man to get more rounds under his belt before jumping in at the deep end.
In 13 professional fights, Itauma has banked just 26 rounds.
Only two of his opponents have seen the final bell, while the others haven't made it out of the second stanza.
https://talksport.com/boxing/3546500...-frank-warren/
Oleksandr Usyk said “I train every day,”. “Yesterday morning I arrived and immediately went to the training hall. I train with the goal of entering the ring next year and, with God’s help, winning.
“With Itauma? I won’t fight him. He’s young [...] and he said he doesn’t hit old men. I can’t say who I’ll be in the ring with, because negotiations are under way. I’d be fooling you if I gave you a name.
“I will box until I am 41,” he added. “And then I will build a sports academy and train there. My future is in Ukraine.
“My children are in Ukraine at this stage, but when they become adults, they will choose for themselves where they want to study, where they want to live, where they want to build their lives. It’s their choice.
“If my daughter says she wants to go live in another country, it’s her choice. I won’t tell her: ‘Oh, my God, why? We were born here!’”
Moses Itauma continues to seek an opponent for a planned outing on 13 December. The young Briton is aiming to compete at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, sharing a card with Derek Chisora – who is set to fight for the 50th and final time as a professional, against an as-yet-unnamed opponent.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/oleksandr-...082323810.html
Figure he'll get the winner of 45 yr old Pulev v Gassiev maybe. I'm glad Usyk stated his claim and isn't playing the back and forth with all the Moses chatter. I's all on Itauma and promotion to do something convincing and actually put some meat on the bone competition wise. Should he keep getting free passes and literal ranking slots on appearance along it can start to backfire.
are opponents asking for too much? at least three names in the discussion now have other fights lined up instead
Probably but you can't blame them. It could end their higher ranking and career. I heard Whyte was paid £2 million and that was because Turki paid that.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
i don't think he's confirmed for the december card yet
No, I meant Whyte was paid that to face Itauma which was an overpayment for someone in Whyte's position at that time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
I know that Chisora v Whyte 3 is the rumour for the December card. In fact no one has been confirmed for Chisora or Moses so that looks bad for the whole event.
It looks like Chisora will fight Whyte, and Itauma will fight a “bum of the month” unfortunately.
That is not a criticism of Itauma, it’s not his fault……….not anybody’s fault really.
It’s very difficult getting fights for a talent like him . Push him too quick, too slow, guys pricing themselves out of it (which I also get) . But time is running out. Barely 6 weeks till fight night.
Now what “Should” happen (but won’t ) is Itauma fight Chisora.
Chisora had not signed the contract to fight Whyte yet.
Pulev has been ordered to face Pulev next but wants to face another opponent in December. The whole card is a mess and they want it to be PPV. Joke.
Frank Warren seems to be running’s lot of DAZN shows. Frank seems desperate to make a lot of PPV.
i was talking about moses not being confirmed for the december card & see that he now won't be on itQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterNo, I meant Whyte was paid that to face Itauma which was an overpayment for someone in Whyte's position at that time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TIC
I know that Chisora v Whyte 3 is the rumour for the December card. In fact no one has been confirmed for Chisora or Moses so that looks bad for the whole event.