Moses Itauma already knows when and where his next bout will take place – July 25 at London’s iconic O2 Arena – but the identity of his opponent is still pending confirmation. One name that has surfaced repeatedly is that of Australian heavyweight prospect Justis Huni, who has openly signalled his willingness to step into the ring with Itauma.
Huni, fresh from a disciplined points‑decision win over fellow Briton Frazer Clarke, expressed confidence that a showdown between the two will materialise sooner rather than later. "One hundred percent," he told Sky Sports. "I feel like we’re going to meet somewhere along the line at some point." Itauma’s most recent performance underscored why he is such a coveted adversary.
In a dominant display against Jermaine Franklin, the Nigerian‑born fighter combined raw power with an unusually rapid hand speed for a heavyweight, dispatching his opponent with ruthless efficiency. Those attributes have not only elevated his standing in the division but also attracted the attention of other contenders eager to test themselves against his skill set. Huni, however, was quick to wonder whether he could match or even surpass Itauma’s speed.
"Time will tell," he replied when asked about the prospect of being the division’s quickest puncher. "We’ll meet somewhere down the line." The Australian’s career has been a study in resilience. After a late‑round stoppage loss to Fabio Wardley – the fighter who knocked Huni out at Portman Road before later claiming the WBO heavyweight world title – Huni has worked diligently to rebuild his reputation.
He reflected on that setback, noting that the experience was a valuable lesson despite the disappointment of being stopped late in the contest. "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 myself," Huni said. He added that the loss highlighted the importance of preparation and consistency.
"That was me not even being at my best, not having a full training camp. The sky’s the limit. I feel like my stock went up," he continued.
Huni pointed to Wardley’s subsequent rise to world champion as a source of motivation, stating, "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 got that good shot in on me and that’s all it took.
You just can’t switch off in heavyweight boxing, or in any division. You just can’t switch off because all it takes is one punch." Across the Channel, British contender Richard Riakporhe also sees the potential for a high‑profile clash at the O2.
Known for his hard‑hitting style, Riakporhe believes a bout against Itauma could serve as a spectacular headline for a British title fight. When asked about the possibility of eventually facing Itauma, he responded, "Anything is possible, we just have to wait and see what opportunities become available. Who knows?
Maybe in the future our paths could meet." Riakporhe offered further insight into Itauma’s current standing within the heavyweight hierarchy. "Moses Itauma 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. I feel like everybody’s on different types of trajectories, routes.
He’s in a very good position right now. He’s got a lot of hype behind him. People have high hopes for him and I think they’re strategically guiding him to get to the top and that’s great for him." The conversation surrounding a potential Huni‑Itauma encounter reflects a broader narrative in the heavyweight division: a blend of rising talent, seasoned veterans, and strategic matchmaking aimed at delivering marquee events for fans.
Both Huni and Itauma have demonstrated the power, speed, and determination that make heavyweight boxing compelling, and a clash between them would likely generate significant interest both in the UK and internationally. If the bout does come to fruition, it would not only test the limits of each fighter’s skill set but also serve as a stepping stone toward larger ambitions. For Huni, a victory over a highly‑rated opponent like Itauma could catapult him back into world‑title contention, while for Itauma, defending his rising reputation against a proven challenger would solidify his place among the division’s elite. As the July 25 date approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching the negotiations closely.
Whether the fight materialises at the O2 Arena or is postponed for a later occasion, the mutual respect expressed by both combatants suggests that when they finally meet, it will be a battle marked by intensity, technical prowess, and the unyielding spirit that defines heavyweight boxing.