Moses Itauma is setting his sights on capturing a world heavyweight crown as quickly as possible, according to his coach Ben Davison. The young British contender, only 21 years old, has already accelerated his ascent through the heavyweight ranks with a series of decisive victories.
In his two most recent outings, Itauma dispatched former title challenger Dillian Whyte in a single round and then overwhelmed Jermaine Franklin, stopping him before the fifth round began. These performances have convinced his training camp that he is ready to test himself against the elite of the division. "The objective now is to line up a world‑title fight for him as soon as we can," Davison told Sky Sports. "I can't go into the specifics because that’s up to Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, and George Warren, but that’s the direction we’re heading." Itauma’s ambition is clear: he wants to become a world champion before he turns 22.
Davison confirmed that the fighter is in a favorable position with several sanctioning bodies, suggesting that a vacancy or a forced matchup could open the door for a title shot before the year ends. At this stage of his professional career, Itauma has compiled a record of 14 fights, winning 12 of them by stoppage before the final bell. "It’s always a balance of risk versus reward when we pick opponents for Moses," Davison explained.
"Experience will come with time, but we’ve already seen enough in the gym and in the ring to know that he can handle the challenge when the opposition can’t go the distance." The trainer did not shy away from the idea of matching Itauma against Agit Kabayel for a WBC heavyweight belt. "If a world title is on the line, we’re all in," he said, emphasizing that the risk‑reward calculation now favors a title opportunity. One potential complication is the WBO heavyweight championship, currently held by Itauma’s gymmate Fabio Wardley. Wardley is slated to face Daniel Dubois on May 9, and if he wins, the WBO may name Itauta as the mandatory challenger.
However, Davison believes that a unification bout involving the unified champion Oleksandr Usyk would likely take precedence. "If Fabio wins, Usyk has already expressed interest in fighting him. In that scenario, the WBO would probably see Fabio vacate the belt to pursue the Usyk fight, and a mandatory defense would become irrelevant," Davison noted. "A unification fight would override any mandatory requirement, so I don’t see that becoming a roadblock for Moses." Beyond the immediate title picture, Itauma’s rapid rise is noteworthy.
He burst onto the scene with a string of knockout victories that have caught the attention of promoters and fans alike. His power, combined with a disciplined work ethic, has allowed him to finish the majority of his opponents before the final bell, a rare feat for a heavyweight at such an early stage in his career. The trainer also highlighted the strategic approach they have taken with matchmaking. "We’ve deliberately tested him against opponents who could give us a clear picture of his stamina and durability," Davison said.
"When a fighter can’t survive the rounds, the result is obvious, and we’ve seen that with several of his recent opponents." Looking ahead, the next few months could prove pivotal. If the WBC or another organization lines up a title bout, Itauma could find himself on a world stage before his 22nd birthday. Even if a mandatory challenge from the WBO arises, the dynamics of the heavyweight division—particularly the potential for unification fights—may create an opening that bypasses a direct clash with his gymmate. In summary, Moses Itauma, guided by Ben Davison, is aggressively pursuing a world heavyweight championship, aiming to achieve the milestone before turning 22.
With a record packed with early stoppages, a clear appetite for high‑stakes fights, and a supportive promotional network, the young boxer appears poised to make a significant push for a title belt in the near future.