Moses Itauma is setting his sights on securing a world heavyweight championship at the earliest opportunity, according to his coach Ben Davison. The 21‑year‑old phenom has already accelerated his rise through the division, delivering dominant performances in his most recent outings. In back‑to‑back fights he dispatched former title contender Dillian Whyte in a single round and then overwhelmed Jermaine Franklin, stopping him before the end of the fifth round.
Those decisive victories have convinced his training staff that the young boxer is prepared to test the elite tier of heavyweight boxing. "Our objective now is to line up a world title bout for him as soon as we can," Davison told Sky Sports. "I can't go into the specifics because that falls under the jurisdiction of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, and George Warren, but the ambition is crystal clear." The British‑American fighter is eager to add a world belt to his résumé before the calendar year draws to a close. "He wants to become a world champion before he turns 22," Davison confirmed.
"He’s in a favourable spot with several sanctioning bodies, so it could simply be a matter of a champion vacating a title or an opponent stepping aside." Although Itauma is still in the early stages of his professional career—having logged just 14 fights, with 12 victories earned inside the distance—his rapid progress has sparked discussions about the risk‑vs‑reward balance in matchmaking. "Experience will accumulate over time," Davison explained.
"We’ve been testing him against opponents who could take him the full distance, and we’ve reached a point where we’ve seen enough in both the gym and the cage to know he can handle the step up. If a challenger can’t survive the rounds, that’s a clear signal." The trainer did not shy away from naming a potential opponent for a title shot. "I would have no hesitation putting Moses against Agit Kabayel for the WBC belt," he said.
"At this stage, it’s a question of weighing the risk against the reward, and if a world title is on the line, we’re all in." Complicating the picture is the possibility that Itauma could become the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight crown, a belt currently held by his fellow gym‑mate Fabio Wardley. Wardley is slated to face Daniel Dubois on May 9, and should he emerge victorious, Davison does not expect a forced clash between the two. "We have to be realistic," he noted. "If Fabio wins, Oleksandr Usyk—who is the unified champion—has already expressed interest in fighting him.
In that scenario, the WBO would likely see Fabio vacate his title to pursue the Usyk fight. A unification bout would take precedence over any mandatory defence, so I don’t foresee that becoming a roadblock for Moses." Looking ahead, the path to a world title could involve several strategic moves. Itauma’s camp may target a vacant belt, negotiate a fight with a champion willing to step aside for a lucrative payday, or capitalize on a mandatory challenger position if the governing bodies issue an order.
Each route carries its own set of negotiations, promotional considerations, and timing issues, but the underlying consensus among his team is that the young heavyweight possesses the skill set, power, and composure to compete at the highest level. Beyond the immediate title chase, Itauma’s development reflects broader trends in the heavyweight division, where youthful athletes are increasingly challenging seasoned veterans. His ability to finish fights early, as demonstrated against Whyte and Franklin, underscores a blend of physical strength and tactical acumen that is rare for a boxer of his age. Moreover, his partnership with experienced trainer Ben Davison—who has guided several fighters to championship contention—provides a solid foundation for navigating the complex promotional landscape that surrounds modern heavyweight boxing.
In summary, Moses Itauma’s ambition to become a world champion before his 22nd birthday is backed by a string of impressive performances, a supportive training team, and a strategic outlook that accounts for the intricacies of title politics. Whether he steps into the ring against Kabayel for the WBC, waits for a potential vacancy in the WBO, or finds another pathway to a belt, the consensus is clear: the young heavyweight is ready to make his mark on the sport’s biggest stage.