Moses Itauma is setting his sights on capturing a heavyweight world championship as quickly as possible, according to his longtime trainer Ben Davison. The young fighter, who burst onto the scene at just 21, has already demonstrated a ferocious appetite for high‑level competition.
In his two most recent outings he dispatched former title challenger Dillian Whyte in a single round and then stopped Jermaine Franklin before the end of the fifth round, victories that left his camp convinced he is ready for the sport's elite tier. Davison, speaking to Sky Sports, made it clear that the primary objective for the team is to line up a world‑title bout for Itauma without delay. "The goal now is to get him a world championship as soon as possible," he said, adding that the logistics will ultimately be handled by Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, and George Warren. "I can't go into too many details, but that is definitely the target we’re working toward." The urgency is not just a matter of ambition; it is also a matter of timing.
Itauma, who is still under 22, wants to become a world champion before his 22nd birthday, according to Davison. "He’s in a very favorable position with several sanctioning bodies right now," Davison explained. "It could simply be a matter of a champion vacating a belt or an opponent stepping aside, which would open a path for Moses to step into a title fight." At this stage in his career, Itauma has only compiled 14 professional fights, but 12 of those wins have come before the final bell, underscoring his knockout power and ability to finish opponents early.
Davison described the matchmaking process as a balance of risk versus reward. "Experience will come with time, but we’ve already seen enough in the gym and in the ring to know that Moses can handle the pressure of longer fights," he said. "If an opponent can’t survive the rounds, that tells us something important about the level we’re operating at." When asked about potential opponents, Davison did not shy away from naming Agit Kabayel as a viable option for a WBC heavyweight title challenge. "If there’s a world title on the line, we’re all in," he asserted, emphasizing that the risk is justified by the reward of a championship.
The prospect of a bout with Kabayel, a seasoned contender, would test Itauma’s skills against a boxer with considerable experience at the top of the division. Complicating the picture is the fact that the WBO heavyweight title is currently held by Fabio Wardley, a training‑partner of Itauma at the same gym.
Wardley is slated to fight Daniel Dubois on May 9, and if he wins, he could become a unified champion. Davison, however, does not see this as an immediate obstacle.
"If Fabio wins, Oleksandr Usyk has already indicated interest in a fight with him. In that scenario, the WBO might have to make a decision about a mandatory defense, but Fabio would likely vacate the belt to pursue the Usyk unification," Davison explained. "A unification fight would take precedence over a mandatory defense, so I don’t think that will hinder Moses’ path." The trainer also highlighted the broader landscape of heavyweight boxing in 2026, noting that the calendar is packed with marquee events that could provide openings for a rising star like Itauma. Streaming platforms and podcasts, such as the Toe2Toe show, are offering more exposure for fighters, making it easier for promoters to match up compelling fights that capture fan interest.
In summary, Moses Itauma’s camp is actively pursuing every possible avenue to secure a world title bout before the end of the year. With a string of impressive knockouts, a clear strategic plan, and favorable relationships with sanctioning bodies, the young heavyweight is poised to make a serious run at the championship.
Davison’s confidence in his fighter’s abilities, combined with the logistical support of promoters and the potential for vacancies or vacated belts, creates a realistic scenario where Itauma could step into a world‑title ring before turning 22. The next few months will be crucial as negotiations, mandatory challenger designations, and potential unification fights shape the path ahead for this promising prospect.