Moses Itauma has already locked in the date and location for his upcoming bout—July 25 at London’s iconic O2 Arena—but the identity of his opponent remains to be confirmed. Australian heavyweight prospect Justis Huni has stepped forward, signalling his readiness to take on the Nigerian‑American contender. Fresh off a convincing points win over fellow Brit Frazer Clarke, Huni is confident that a showdown with Itauma will happen sooner rather than later.
"One hundred percent," Huni told Sky Sports. "I have a feeling we’ll cross paths at some point down the line." Itauma’s most recent performance underscored why he’s quickly becoming a buzz‑worthy name in the division. He dispatched Jermaine Franklin with ruthless efficiency, displaying a blend of power and precision that is rare for a heavyweight.
Among the attributes that set him apart is a blistering hand speed that often catches larger opponents off‑guard. Huni, however, couldn’t resist questioning whether he might rival Itauma for the title of the division’s fastest puncher. "Only time will tell," he replied with a grin.
"We’ll meet somewhere down the line." The Australian’s own journey has been one of redemption. After suffering a late‑round stoppage at the hands of Fabio Wardley—who later captured the WBO heavyweight crown—Huni has been rebuilding his confidence and skill set. He reflected on that loss, noting that he accepted the fight on short notice and gave his all despite not being at peak condition.
"It was a good challenge for myself. I took it on at short notice and all I could do was go out there and give it my best shot.
Even though I got stopped late in the fight, it was still a win‑win for me," Huni said. "I wasn’t even at my best, I didn’t have a full training camp.
The sky’s the limit." He added that the experience has actually boosted his marketability. "I feel like my stock went up," Huni explained. "You look at what Fabio’s gone on to do—he’s a world champion.
I watched the fight back, worked on the things that I needed to work on. I didn’t even need to commit to anything that late in the fight. I felt like I was ahead comfortably.
He landed a good shot and that was all it took. You can’t switch off in heavyweight boxing, or in any division.
One punch can change everything." Across the UK, another heavyweight, Richard Riakporhe, has been mentioned as a possible O2 headliner. Riakporhe, known for his power‑punching style, said to Sky Sports that anything is possible and that he’s waiting for the right opportunity to arise. "Who knows?
Maybe in the future our paths could meet," Riakporhe said when asked about a potential clash with Itauma. He went on to explain that Itauma is currently riding a wave of momentum.
"Moses is in a good position right now. He’s ranked really high, so I don’t know if they’re trying to push him for a world‑title shot," Riakporhe noted. "Everyone’s on different trajectories.
He’s got a lot of hype behind him, and people have high hopes. I think they’re strategically guiding him to the top, and that’s great for him." The prospect of an Itauma‑Huni encounter is tantalising for fans because it would pit two contrasting styles against each other: Itauma’s lightning‑fast combinations versus Huni’s rugged, comeback‑driven approach. Both fighters have expressed admiration for each other's skill sets, which adds an extra layer of intrigue. If the bout does materialise, the O2 Arena would provide a massive platform, potentially serving as a stepping‑stone toward a world‑title opportunity for either man.
For Huni, a victory would cement his resurgence after the Wardley defeat and position him as a serious contender on the global stage. For Itauma, a win would reinforce his rapid ascent and keep him firmly in the conversation for future championship bouts. Meanwhile, the heavyweight division continues to evolve, with several promising talents jostling for position. The British scene, in particular, is flourishing, thanks to fighters like Clarke, Riakporhe, and now Itauma, who bring a mix of power, speed, and technical skill that keeps the UK audience engaged.
As the July 25 date draws nearer, promoters will likely finalize the card, and fans can expect more announcements regarding undercard fights, broadcast partners, and ticket sales. Whether Huni, Riakporhe, or another heavyweight ultimately steps into the ring with Itauma, the anticipation remains high.
In the meantime, both Huni and Itauma are staying active, sharpening their craft, and studying each other's recent performances. Huni’s recent victory over Clarke showed his ability to adapt mid‑fight and execute a disciplined game plan, while Itauma’s knockout of Franklin highlighted his capacity to end fights decisively with a single burst of speed. The boxing world will be watching closely as the two paths converge, eager to see which fighter will claim the upper hand when they finally meet in the ring. The promise of a high‑octane heavyweight clash at the O2 Arena is a narrative that could captivate both casual viewers and die‑hard boxing enthusiasts alike.