Moses Itauma and his camp are setting their sights on capturing a heavyweight world title as quickly as possible, according to his trainer Ben Davison. The 21‑year‑old prospect has already demonstrated a rapid ascent through the ranks, delivering decisive victories that have left observers convinced he belongs among the sport’s elite.
In his most recent outings, Itauma has shown an ability to finish fights in spectacular fashion. He dispatched former title contender Dillian Whyte in just a single round, a performance that shocked many given Whyte’s experience and reputation. Following that, he faced Jermaine Franklin and stopped him before the end of the fifth round, further cementing his reputation as a relentless finisher. These back‑to‑back knockouts have convinced his trainers that the young boxer is ready to test himself against the very best in the heavyweight division.
"The objective now is to line up a world championship bout as soon as we possibly can," Davison told Sky Sports. "I can’t go into the specifics because that’s largely the domain of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, and George Warren, but the ambition is crystal clear." The urgency behind the plan is evident. Davison noted that Itauma wants to become a world champion before he turns 22, a milestone that would place him among a select group of fighters who have achieved such a feat at a comparable age.
"He’s in a very advantageous position with several sanctioning bodies," Davison explained. "It may simply be a matter of someone vacating a title or an opening appearing that we can seize." At this stage of his career, Itauma’s résumé is still relatively brief. He has competed in just 14 professional fights, winning 12 of them before the final bell. Despite the limited number of contests, the majority of his victories have come via stoppage, underscoring his power and finishing instincts.
Davison highlighted the balance between risk and reward when it comes to matchmaking for Moses. "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.
If an opponent can’t survive the rounds, the result is clear." Looking ahead, Davison does not shy away from the prospect of matching Itauma against seasoned contenders such as Agit Kabayel for a WBC title shot. "He’s reached a point where the risk‑versus‑reward calculation favors a world title opportunity. If a belt is on the line, we’re all in," the trainer affirmed.
One potential complication in Itauma’s path is the possibility of becoming the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight championship, a title currently held by his gym‑mate Fabio Wardley. Wardley is slated to face Daniel Dubois on May 9, and the outcome of that bout could influence the WBO’s mandatory order. Davison remains confident that this scenario will not derail Itauma’s plans. "If Fabio wins and Oleksandr Usyk—who is the unified champion—expresses interest in fighting him, Fabio would likely vacate the WBO belt to pursue that higher‑profile clash.
In such a case, a mandatory defense becomes a secondary concern. Unification fights typically take precedence over mandatory obligations." In essence, the strategic outlook for Moses Itauma is one of aggressive ambition tempered by realistic appraisal of the boxing landscape. His rapid rise, highlighted by two spectacular knockouts, has positioned him as a viable candidate for a world title shot before the calendar flips to the next year.
The trainer’s confidence, combined with the boxer’s own desire to claim a championship before his 22nd birthday, suggests that negotiations with promoters and sanctioning bodies will be fast‑tracked. Whether the path leads directly to a bout with a current champion, a fight against a top‑ranked contender, or a scenario where a title is vacated, the overarching goal remains unchanged: to see Moses Itauma crowned as a heavyweight world champion at the earliest possible moment.