Moses Itauma is setting his sights on capturing a world heavyweight crown as quickly as possible, according to his longtime coach Ben Davison. The young British fighter, only 21 years old, has already accelerated his ascent through the heavyweight ranks with a series of decisive victories that have left his management and supporters convinced that he is ready for the sport's elite level. In his most recent outings, Itauma has demonstrated a blend of power, speed, and composure that is rare for a boxer of his age.
He dispatched former title challenger Dillian Whyte in a single, emphatic round, showcasing an ability to neutralise a seasoned opponent with a single burst of aggression. Following that, he faced Jermaine Franklin, a durable contender with a solid professional record, and again proved his dominance by stopping the fight inside the fifth round. Those back‑to‑back performances have not only added two impressive wins to his résumé but have also signaled to the boxing community that he can handle high‑caliber opposition. Davison, speaking to Sky Sports, emphasized that the next logical step for the camp is to line up a world‑title opportunity without unnecessary delay.
"The objective now is to get him a world championship as soon as possible," he said, underscoring the urgency that both the fighter and his team feel. While the specifics of negotiations involve the promotional machinery of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, and George Warren, the overarching ambition remains crystal clear: a title shot before Itauma turns 22. The trainer also highlighted Itauma's strategic positioning within the sanctioning bodies. "He's in a very positive position with a number of the organisations, the sanctioning bodies, so it might be a case of someone might have to vacate or fight," Davison explained.
This suggests that the camp is monitoring potential openings that could arise if a current champion steps aside, moves up a weight class, or is forced to relinquish a belt due to mandatory defence obligations. Such scenarios could create a pathway for Itauma to step into a championship bout without having to climb the traditional ladder of eliminators. At this stage of his career, Itauma has compiled a record of 14 professional fights, winning 12 of them inside the distance.
This statistic reflects a high finishing rate and indicates a willingness to seek stoppages rather than settle for decisions. Davison noted that matchmaking has always been a balance of risk versus reward for Moses. "Experience will come along the way. We've tried with opponents to get rounds and I think we're at the point now where we've seen enough," he said.
The trainer added that the gym sessions and fight footage have convinced him that Itauma possesses the skill set to compete at the highest level, even if some opponents lack the stamina to last the full distance. When asked about potential opponents, Davison did not shy away from naming a specific name: Agit Kabayel, a former WBC heavyweight champion. "He's at that level now where it's risk versus reward, so if there's a world title on the line I think we're all in," Davison affirmed. This indicates that the camp is prepared to pit Itauma against a proven champion if the opportunity presents itself, trusting that the young heavyweight's talent can offset any perceived risk.
Complicating the picture, however, is the fact that Itauma's gymmate, Fabio Wardley, currently holds the WBO heavyweight title. Should Wardley retain his belt after his upcoming bout with Daniel Dubois on May 9, there is a theoretical possibility that Itauma could become the mandatory challenger for the WBO.
Yet Davison downplays this scenario, pointing out the fluid nature of heavyweight politics. "If Fabio wins, [unified champion Oleksandr] Usyk's come out and said he would fight Fabio.
If the WBO called a mandatory the reality is Fabio would probably vacate that belt to get the Usyk fight," he explained. In the world of boxing, unification fights often take precedence over mandatory defenses, and Davison believes this hierarchy will protect Itauma from an unwanted clash with his teammate. Looking ahead, the next few months will be crucial for mapping out Itauma's path. The trainer and his team will be monitoring the heavyweight landscape closely, evaluating where vacancies may appear, and negotiating with promoters to secure a bout that aligns with their timeline.
The ultimate goal is clear: to have Moses Itauma step into a world‑title ring before his 22nd birthday, adding his name to the list of champions in a division that has historically favored older, more experienced fighters. If everything aligns—vacancies, promotional agreements, and the willingness of a champion to accept a challenger—Moses Itauma could find himself fighting for a belt before the close of the calendar year. Until then, he will continue to train, refine his technique, and prepare for the day when the world finally gets a glimpse of his potential on the grandest stage of heavyweight boxing.