Moses Itauma’s camp is already plotting a fast‑track route to a world heavyweight championship, according to his trainer Ben Davison. The 21‑year‑old phenom has been on a rapid ascent, dispatching seasoned opponents with a level of authority that suggests he is ready for the sport’s elite tier. In his two most recent outings, Itauma demonstrated why he is being touted as a future champion.
He stopped former title challenger Dillian Whyte in the opening round, a result that shocked many given Whyte’s experience and reputation. Not long after, he delivered a ruthless performance against Jermaine Franklin, ending the bout inside the fifth round. Both victories were achieved by way of stoppage, underscoring Itauma’s power and finishing instinct.
For the members of his training team, these performances are more than just impressive wins; they are a clear signal that the young heavyweight is prepared to test himself against the division’s best. Davison told Sky Sports that the immediate objective is to secure a world title for his fighter as soon as the opportunity arises. "The goal now is to get him a world championship as soon as possible," he said, adding that the logistics will involve the usual parties—Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren and George Warren—but the ambition remains unchanged.
Itauma himself is reportedly eager to achieve that milestone before he turns 22. Davison confirmed that the fighter is actively pursuing a belt before the end of the calendar year, noting that he is already in a favorable position with several sanctioning bodies. "He wants to be a world champion before he's 22," the trainer explained.
"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." Although Itauma is still early in his professional journey—having logged just 14 fights, 12 of which ended before the final bell—his record reflects a high knockout ratio and an ability to dominate opponents quickly. Davison described the matchmaking process as a balance of risk and reward.
"Experience will come along the way," he said. "We’ve tried with opponents to get rounds and I think we’re at the point now where we’ve seen enough.
I’ve seen enough in the gym, I’ve seen enough in the fights where if these guys aren’t capable of doing the rounds, it is what it is." The trainer made it clear that he would not hesitate to line up a bout with a current champion such as Agit Kabayel for the WBC title. "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 willingness to chase a belt, even if it means stepping into the ring with a seasoned champion, reflects the confidence the camp has in Itauma’s abilities. Complications could arise, however, from the fact that the WBO heavyweight championship is presently held by Itauma’s gymmate, Fabio Wardley.
Wardley is slated to fight Daniel Dubois on May 9, and a victory could set up a scenario where Itauma becomes the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt. Davison downplayed the likelihood of a direct showdown between the two.
He explained that if Wardley wins and then receives a unification bout offer from unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO might see Wardley vacate his title to pursue that higher‑profile fight. "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," Davison said.
"Equally a unification should override even a mandatory defence. So I can’t see that situation being an issue, to be honest." Looking ahead, the path to a world championship for Itauma could involve several routes: a direct title fight against a current champion, a mandatory challenger position that forces a belt holder to defend, or a strategic move where a champion vacates the title, leaving it open for a contender like Itauma.
Regardless of the mechanism, the consensus within his team is that the time is ripe for him to step onto the biggest stage. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is packed with high‑profile events, and streaming platforms such as NOW are offering contract‑free access to many of these fights.
Fans can also follow weekly boxing analysis on the Toe2Toe podcast and stay updated with the latest highlights and video content. In summary, Moses Itauma’s rapid rise, combined with a series of decisive stoppage victories, has positioned him as a serious contender for a world heavyweight title.
His trainer Ben Davison is openly targeting a championship bout before the young fighter turns 22, and while logistical hurdles and mandatory challenger scenarios exist, the camp’s confidence remains unwavering. If the upcoming months align favorably, the boxing world may soon witness Itauma hoisting a world title belt, marking a remarkable achievement for a boxer still in the early stages of his professional career.