Moses Itauma and his camp are setting their sights on a world heavyweight championship as soon as the opportunity arises, according to his trainer Ben Davison. The 21‑year‑old prospect has already accelerated his rise through the division, delivering two spectacular knockout victories in his most recent outings. First, he dispatched former title contender Dillian Whyte in a single round, and then he stopped Jermaine Franklin before the end of the fifth round, showcasing both power and precision.
These decisive wins have convinced his coaching staff that Itauma is prepared to test himself against the elite of the heavyweight ranks. "Our objective now is to line up a world‑title fight for him as quickly as possible," Davison told Sky Sports. While the specifics of negotiations lie with Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren and George Warren, the trainer emphasized that the goal is clear and shared by everyone involved.
Itauma is determined to add a world belt to his résumé before he turns 22. Davison explained that the young boxer is already in a favorable position with several sanctioning bodies, which could open a pathway if a current champion decides to vacate a title or accept a unification bout.
"He wants to be a world champion before he's 22," the trainer said, noting that the timing could hinge on circumstances beyond their control, such as another fighter stepping aside or a mandatory challenger being reshuffled. At this stage in his career, Itauma has compiled a record of 14 professional fights, winning 12 of them inside the distance. "It's a matter of risk versus reward when we match‑make for Moses," Davison explained.
"Experience will accumulate over time, but we've already seen enough in the gym and in the ring to know he can handle the pressure of longer fights." The trainer added that when opponents fail to survive the scheduled rounds, the decision is straightforward: they simply aren't at the required level. Looking ahead, Davison would not shy away from a showdown with Agit Kabayel for the WBC heavyweight title. "If a world title is on the line, we are all in," he said, underscoring the willingness to take on any risk if the reward is a championship. However, the path could become more complex if Itauta is designated as the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt, which is currently held by his gym‑mate Fabio Wardley.
Wardley is slated to face Daniel Dubois on May 9, and should he emerge victorious, Davison believes a direct clash between the two teammates is unlikely. "We have to be realistic," Davison noted. "If Fabio wins, Oleksandr Usyk—who has expressed interest in fighting Fabio—might intervene, and the WBO could see Fabio vacate the title to pursue that unification.
In such a scenario, a mandatory defense would become irrelevant." The trainer concluded that a unification bout would take precedence over any mandatory challenger requirement, meaning Itauma's pursuit of a world title would not be hindered by internal gym dynamics. Beyond the immediate matchmaking considerations, Itauma's rapid ascent reflects a broader trend in heavyweight boxing where younger fighters are breaking through earlier than traditionally expected. His ability to finish seasoned opponents in the early rounds has drawn attention from promoters and fans alike, positioning him as a potential future star of the sport. The combination of raw power, technical skill, and a disciplined training regimen under Davison's guidance suggests that Itauma possesses the tools needed to compete at the highest level.
The trainer also highlighted the importance of strategic planning in the modern boxing landscape. With multiple sanctioning bodies—WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA—each offering their own titles, navigating the mandatory challenger system, unification opportunities, and promotional politics requires careful coordination.
Davison's confidence that the team can secure a title shot "as soon as possible" indicates that they are already engaged in discussions with promoters, matchmakers, and the governing organizations to identify the most viable route. In summary, Moses Itauma's recent knockout victories have propelled him into the conversation for a world heavyweight title. His trainer, Ben Davison, emphasizes that the goal is to secure a championship bout before the young fighter's 22nd birthday, leveraging his current standing with sanctioning bodies and the potential for vacancies or unification fights. While the mandatory challenger scenario with the WBO adds a layer of complexity, the team's realistic outlook suggests that any such obstacle can be managed or bypassed in favor of a unification fight.
With a record that already includes twelve stoppages in fourteen fights, Itauma is poised to make a significant impact on the heavyweight division, and his camp is actively working to turn that ambition into reality.