Moses Itauma is setting his sights on securing a world heavyweight championship at the earliest opportunity, according to his longtime trainer Ben Davison. The young pugilist, who burst onto the scene as a precocious 21‑year‑old, has already demonstrated that he can compete with seasoned veterans. In his most recent outings, Itauma dispatched former title challenger Dillian Whyte in a single round and then delivered a ruthless five‑round demolition of Jermaine Franklin, leaving little doubt that he belongs among the division’s elite.
For the members of his coaching staff, these performances are more than just impressive victories; they are a clear signal that Itauma is ready to test himself at the very highest level of heavyweight boxing. "The objective now is to line up a world title fight for him as soon as we possibly 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 the ambition is unmistakable." The plan, as outlined by his camp, is to have Itauma hoist a world belt before the calendar year draws to a close. "He wants to be a world champion before he turns 22," Davison added, noting that the fighter already enjoys a favorable standing with several sanctioning bodies.
This positioning could mean that a current champion may have to vacate a title or agree to a bout in order to accommodate Itauma’s rise. Despite having only 14 professional fights under his belt, Itauma has already compiled an impressive résumé: twelve of those bouts ended before the final bell, showcasing his ability to finish opponents decisively. "It’s a matter of weighing risk against reward when we match‑make for Moses," Davison explained. "Experience will inevitably accumulate as we go forward.
We’ve tested him against opponents who could take him the distance, and we’ve seen enough both in training and in competition to know he can handle the pressure. If a fighter can’t survive the rounds, the reality is that they simply aren’t ready." Davison made it clear that he would not shy away from a title fight against a seasoned contender such as Agit Kabayel for the WBC heavyweight crown.
"At this point, it’s a risk‑versus‑reward calculation. If a world title is on the line, we’re all in," he said. The prospect of a showdown with Kabayel underscores how quickly Itauma’s camp believes the boxer has progressed from prospect to legitimate contender.
Complicating the picture is the fact that the WBO heavyweight championship is currently held by Itauma’s own gym‑mate, Fabio Wardley. Wardley is slated to face Daniel Dubois on May 9, and the outcome of that bout could influence the path forward for Itauma. Davison remains confident that even if Wardley retains his belt, a mandatory challenger status for Itauma would not necessarily force a direct clash between the two. "If Fabio wins, Oleksandr Usyk—who has expressed interest in fighting Fabio—might step in.
In that scenario, the WBO could see Fabio vacate the title to pursue a unification bout, which would effectively sidestep any mandatory defence against Moses," the trainer explained. "A unification fight would take precedence over a mandatory defense, so I don’t see that becoming a barrier for Moses." Looking beyond the immediate title chase, Itauma’s team is also mindful of the broader heavyweight landscape. The division is currently populated by a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, each vying for the limited number of championship opportunities. By securing a favorable ranking with multiple sanctioning bodies early in his career, Itauma positions himself to capitalize on any vacancy or mandatory challenger slot that may arise.
This strategic approach is designed to keep his trajectory upward, regardless of how the politics of boxing promotions and governing bodies evolve. In the gym, Itauma’s regimen reflects his ambition. He focuses on a blend of power training, speed work, and tactical sparring to sharpen the attributes that have already served him well in the ring. His knockout power, demonstrated in the swift defeat of Whyte and the methodical dismantling of Franklin, is complemented by a disciplined defensive style that has allowed him to avoid unnecessary damage while imposing his will on opponents.
Outside the ropes, the boxer remains grounded and driven. He frequently speaks about his desire to bring a world title to his hometown and to inspire the next generation of fighters from his community.
This personal motivation adds an extra layer of purpose to his professional goals, making the pursuit of a championship not just a career milestone but also a source of pride for his supporters. In summary, Moses Itauma’s ascent from a promising prospect to a bona fide world‑title contender is being orchestrated with a clear, aggressive timeline. With a trainer who believes the fighter is ready for the biggest stage, a record that boasts a high knockout percentage, and strategic positioning within the heavyweight sanctioning bodies, the next few months could see Itauma stepping into a championship bout before he reaches his 22nd birthday.
Whether he faces Agit Kabayel for the WBC belt, navigates the complexities of the WBO mandatory challenger scenario, or finds another pathway to a world title, the overarching goal remains the same: to crown Moses Itauma as a world heavyweight champion as swiftly as the sport will allow.