Moses Itauma has already locked in the date and location for his upcoming bout—July 25 at the O2 Arena in London—but the identity of his opponent remains undecided. Among the names being floated is Australian heavyweight contender Justis Huni, who has publicly signaled his willingness to step into the ring with the rising British star. Huni, fresh off a disciplined points‑victory over fellow Brit Frazer Clarke, is confident that a showdown with Itauma is inevitable. "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 was a showcase of his raw power and speed. He dispatched Jermaine Franklin in dominant fashion, demonstrating a hand speed that is unusual for a heavyweight and a relentless offensive output that left his opponent struggling to keep pace. Those attributes have placed him firmly on the radar of many top‑tier fighters looking for a high‑profile test. Huni, however, has hinted that he might be able to match or even surpass Itauma’s speed.
"Time will tell," he said, adding, "We’ll meet somewhere down the line." The Australian’s confidence is rooted in his own recent resurgence after a setback against Fabio Wardley. Wardley, who knocked Huni out at Portman Road, has since claimed the WBO heavyweight world title, making Huni’s loss a learning experience rather than a career‑defining moment. Reflecting on that defeat, Huni explained, "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." He emphasized that the loss came when he was not at his peak, having missed a full training camp. "That was me not even being at my best, not having a full training camp.
The sky's the limit," he added. He also noted that the experience against Wardley has actually boosted his marketability.
"I feel like my stock went up," Huni said. "You look 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 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.
One punch can change everything." Beyond Huni, other heavyweight prospects are also being mentioned as potential O2 headliners. British fighter Richard Riakporhe, known for his heavy‑handed style, suggested that a domestic title clash could be a spectacular addition to the London card. When asked about a possible future encounter with Itauma, Riakporhe replied, "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 went on to explain Itauma’s current standing in the division: "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 these potential match‑ups underscores the dynamic nature of the heavyweight landscape.
Huni’s willingness to fight Itauma, combined with his recent improvements after the Wardley loss, makes a clash between the two an intriguing prospect for fans and promoters alike. Both fighters bring distinct qualities to the table: Itauma’s blistering speed and aggressive pressure, and Huni’s resilience, technical refinement, and a renewed hunger to prove himself after a setback. If the bout does materialize, the O2 Arena would provide a fitting stage.
The venue, known for hosting high‑profile boxing events, would attract a global audience eager to see whether Huni can translate his recent points win into a knockout threat against a fast‑moving heavyweight like Itauma. Moreover, a fight of this magnitude could serve as a stepping stone for either combatant toward a world‑title opportunity, especially given the current fluidity of rankings and the ongoing search for credible challengers by reigning champions.
In summary, while the exact opponent for Moses Itauma’s July 25 fight remains to be confirmed, Justis Huni has placed himself squarely in the conversation, expressing absolute certainty that the two will eventually cross paths. Meanwhile, Richard Riakporhe’s comments highlight the broader interest in heavyweight match‑ups that could headline the O2. As the heavyweight division continues to evolve, fans can anticipate a series of compelling narratives that may culminate in a showdown between Huni and Itauma, a fight that promises speed, power, and the relentless pursuit of boxing glory.