Moses Itauma already knows when and where his next bout will take place – the O2 Arena in London on July 25 – but the identity of his opponent remains undecided. One name that keeps surfacing in the conversation is Australian heavyweight prospect Justis Huni, who has publicly signaled his interest in stepping into the ring with the rising star.
Huni, fresh off a convincing points win over fellow Brit Frazer Clarke, believes a showdown with Itauma is inevitable and may happen sooner rather than later. "One hundred percent," Huni told Sky Sports. "I have a strong feeling that our paths will cross at some point in the near future." Itauma’s most recent performance showcased why he is being talked about as a potential future champion. He dispatched Jermaine Franklin with ruthless efficiency, displaying a blend of power and speed that is rare for a heavyweight.
Among his most striking attributes is his blistering hand speed, a quality that allows him to land combinations that many larger opponents simply cannot match. Huni, however, is not shy about questioning whether he could match or even exceed Itauma’s speed. "Only time will tell," he remarked when asked about the prospect of being the division’s quickest puncher. "We’ll meet somewhere down the line, and we’ll see who’s faster." The Australian’s career has been a study in resilience.
After suffering a late‑round stoppage at the hands of Fabio Wardley – a bout that took place at Portman Road and ultimately propelled Wardley to the WBO heavyweight world title – Huni has been rebuilding his confidence and skill set. He has taken the loss as a learning experience, focusing on tightening his defence and sharpening his offensive output.
In a recent interview, Huni reflected on the Wardley fight, emphasizing how the experience, despite ending in a stoppage, was a valuable lesson. "It was a good challenge for me. I accepted it on short notice, and all I could do was step in and give it everything I had.
Even though I was stopped late, the fight was a win‑win for my development," he said. He added that the lack of a full training camp meant he was not operating at his absolute best. "I wasn’t at my peak, I didn’t have a full camp.
The sky’s the limit for me now. I feel my stock has risen," Huni continued. "Look at what Fabio has accomplished – he’s a world champion. I watched that fight, identified the areas I need to improve, and have been working on them ever since." When discussing the decisive punch that ended his fight with Wardley, Huni explained, "I didn’t need to commit to anything late in the bout.
I felt comfortable and ahead, but he landed a clean, powerful shot and that was all it took. In heavyweight boxing – indeed, in any weight class – you can never afford to switch off. One punch can change everything." Across the Atlantic, British contender Richard Riakporhe also weighed in on the potential Itauma matchup.
Riakporhe, known for his hard‑hitting style, believes a fight between him and Itauma could serve as a spectacular headliner for the O2 Arena, drawing significant attention from fans and promoters alike. When asked about the possibility of facing Itauma in the future, Riakporhe told Sky Sports, "Anything is possible; we just have to wait and see what opportunities arise. Who knows?
Our paths might cross down the line." He elaborated on Itauma’s current standing in the heavyweight landscape, noting, "Moses is in an excellent position right now. He’s ranked very high, and there’s talk that the governing bodies might be steering him toward a world‑title shot.
Everyone’s on different trajectories, but Moses has a lot of hype and support behind him." Riakporhe added that the strategic guidance surrounding Itauma appears designed to maximize his ascent to the top, saying, "People have high expectations for him, and it looks like the promoters are carefully mapping out a route that will get him to the pinnacle of the division. That’s great for his career." The broader heavyweight scene is buzzing with speculation about how these potential match‑ups could reshape the rankings. Huni’s recent victory over Clarke demonstrated his technical proficiency and ability to control the pace of a fight, while Itauma’s explosive hand speed and power make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. If a Huni‑Itauma clash were to materialize, it would likely be billed as a battle of contrasting styles: Huni’s disciplined, methodical approach versus Itauma’s rapid, high‑energy offense.
Both fighters have expressed a clear desire to test themselves against top‑tier competition. Huni’s comments reflect a confidence born from hard work and a willingness to learn from past setbacks. Itauma, meanwhile, continues to build momentum with each victory, positioning himself as a legitimate contender for future title opportunities.
In addition to the potential Huni‑Itauma showdown, the heavyweight division continues to offer numerous other intriguing match‑ups. Riakporhe’s suggestion of a British‑title fight against a hard‑punching opponent at the O2 could serve as a stepping stone for both him and Itauma, providing a platform to showcase their abilities to a wider audience. As the summer approaches and the O2 Arena prepares to host its next big event, fans can anticipate a flurry of announcements regarding fight cards, promotional deals, and perhaps the long‑awaited confirmation of who will step into the ring with Moses Itauma on July 25.
Whether it ends up being Justis Huni, Richard Riakporhe, or another high‑profile heavyweight, the stakes are high, and the anticipation is palpable across the boxing community. In the meantime, both Huni and Itauma are likely to continue honing their craft, studying each other's strengths and weaknesses, and preparing for the day when they finally meet in the ring.
Their mutual respect for one another’s abilities, combined with a shared hunger for victory, promises a future bout that could become a defining moment in modern heavyweight boxing.