Moses Itauma is well on his way to a world title shot and could soon become universally recognised as the United Kingdom’s standout heavyweight. Now, Dillian Whyte has revealed whether he believes the 21-year-old could defeat two-time world champion Anthony Joshua after facing both men.
Whyte collided with Joshua in a memorable battle back in 2015, revisiting an amateur rivalry. Following a heated build-up, ‘AJ’ scored a dramatic knockout victory to claim the coveted British heavyweight title.
A decade later, a 37-year-old Whyte attempted to disrupt another rising star’s plans, but was quickly outclassed by young Itauma, who dispatched of ‘The Body Snatcher’ within two minutes of the opening round.
However, despite his first-round defeat to Itauma last time out, Whyte told iFL TV that he may still pick Joshua to come out on top if he were to take on the Kent-based phenomenon, but added that it all depends on how Joshua looks in his fight next month.
“My first answer would be no, [Itauma doesn’t beat Anthony Joshua], but I think we have to wait and see what AJ has left, how he is mentally, if he has recovered from the stuff that he has been through lately and how much ambition he has left to fight.
“Obviously, he has made some changes. He has gone to Usyk trying to look for something different, so let’s see if that gels and if it works out for him, we will have to see. AJ, sometimes, he moves mad, one minute he is on it and one minute he is not, so let’s see.”
Joshua fights Albania’s Kristian Prenga on Saturday, July 25, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seeking to tee up a long-awaited showdown with perennial rival Tyson Fury.
As for Itauma, he is set to return in August as his push to the top of the division continues. The frontruner remains Filip Hrgovic, assuming the Croatian is fit after his recent three-round blowout of Dave Allen.