Moses Itauma’s camp is laser‑focused on securing a heavyweight world championship for the young British fighter as quickly as possible, according to his trainer Ben Davison. The 21‑year‑old has already accelerated his rise through the division, delivering two emphatic victories that have left observers convinced he is ready for the sport’s elite level. In his most recent outings, Itauma dispatched former title challenger Dillian Whyte in a single round, a performance that shocked many given Whyte’s experience and reputation.
He followed that with a ruthless five‑round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin, a bout that further cemented his reputation as a power puncher with the ability to finish fights early. Those back‑to‑back wins have convinced his coaching team that the time has come to start planning a title shot. "The objective now is to get him a world championship as soon as we possibly can," Davison told Sky Sports. "I can’t go into the specifics because the negotiations are handled by Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, and George Warren, but that’s definitely the target we’re working toward." The trainer added that the fighter himself is eager to achieve the milestone before he turns 22.
"He wants to be a world champion before he’s 22," Davison said. "He’s in a very favourable position with several sanctioning bodies, so it may simply be a matter of a champion vacating a belt or agreeing to a fight that opens the door for him." Itauma’s professional résumé is still relatively brief – he has logged 14 fights, winning 12 of them inside the distance.
Yet his rapid progression has prompted his team to weigh the risk‑versus‑reward equation more aggressively. "It’s about matchmaking with Moses," Davison explained. "Experience will come with time, but we’ve already seen enough in the gym and in the cage to know that if an opponent can’t survive the rounds, that tells us something about his level." When asked about potential opponents, Davison didn’t shy away from naming a possible clash with Agit Kabayel for the WBC heavyweight crown. "He’s at that level now where it’s risk versus reward, so if there’s a world title on the line, we’re all in," the trainer affirmed, indicating that the camp would not hesitate to step into a championship bout.
Complicating the picture is the fact that Itauma could become the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt, which is currently held by his gym‑mate Fabio Wardley. Wardley is slated to fight Daniel Dubois on May 9, and should he retain his title, Davison believes the situation will not necessarily force Itauma into a mandatory defence against his teammate. "If Fabio wins, Oleksandr Usyk has already expressed interest in a fight with him. In that scenario, the WBO would likely see Fabio vacate the belt to pursue the Usyk bout, and a unification fight would take precedence over a mandatory defence," Davison said.
"So I don’t see that becoming a problem." The broader heavyweight landscape in 2026 also offers several high‑profile opportunities. With the sport’s biggest names juggling unification talks and mandatory obligations, there may be openings for a fresh contender like Itauma to step in, especially if a champion decides to vacate a title to chase a more lucrative unification fight. Davison’s strategy appears to be to keep Itauma’s options open, allowing the promoter and sanctioning bodies to dictate the most advantageous path.
Beyond the immediate title chase, Itauma’s team is also mindful of the long‑term development of the fighter. They recognize that while early knockouts are impressive, gaining experience against varied styles will be crucial for longevity at the top. "We’ve already tested him against power and durability," Davison noted. "Now we need to see how he handles different tactics, pace, and pressure.
That’s why we’re not rushing into every possible fight; we’re selecting match‑ups that will add to his skill set while still moving him toward the championship goal." In summary, Moses Itauma’s trajectory is accelerating at a remarkable rate. After dismantling Whyte and Franklin in quick succession, his camp is actively pursuing a world title bout, with the trainer emphasizing that the aim is to crown the young heavyweight champion before he reaches his 22nd birthday.
Whether that involves a direct challenge for the WBC crown, a mandatory shot at the WBO belt, or a strategic step‑up fight that positions him for a future unification, the overarching message from Davison is clear: the window for a world title is open, and Itauma is ready to step through it.