I know next up will be Usyk. But lettuce assume Usyk finds a way to dodge and fight Belly again. Wardley is a lot more proven. But Ituama has a big speed advantage and seems much more properly schooled. Both have the power to KO anyone. What do you guys think?
I don't believe it. He's going to fight Belly. Mark my words. Why? Because Turki, for some reason I don't get, wants it. I'm starting to not understand Turki. He's not spreading around the money in the right way to make the best overall cards and fights. Did Canelo REALLY need to be paid THAT much for the Crawford fight? Couldn't have held back a bit of that to make some of the absolute cracking potential fights out there? Ennis-Ortiz? Bam-Nakatani? Benavidez-Beterbiev? Kabayel-Bakole? (yes in terms of rankings and such that doesn't accomplish much, but in terms of an absolute war of a HW fight, that's the best single fight in the division). Stevenson-Tank? Could have made Bam-Nakatani, Ennis-Ortiz, AND Kabayel-Bakole happen, while still paying Canelo an insane amount.
Same trainer and neither will leave him at this stage of there career. Both has stated they don’t share interest in fighting each other at this point in there career
Saudi also has no interest. So who is going to front the money? There is no one clamoring for this fight. 2-0 settled any talk of a trilogy.
This is a real shame because it has real potential. Wardley can really take a shot, is all action, and has the speed, power, and unorthodox angles that could really show us how good Itauma's chin is —or whether that is his kryptonite. I imagine one of them will leave Boxercise Ben sooner rather than later, I can see Itauma going to another trainer, and then it'd be a great fight, even if it takes place after Wardley loses to Usyk.
Currently I'd back Wardley to win it as his chin and power has passed the test today. Style wise I'd see Itauma causing more issues for him though
Wardley’s stamina is okay as well, not amazing but decent enough. He is clearly able to carry power until incredibly late in fights.
In regards to Wardley V Itauma. Itauma V Wardley really depends on how Wardley does in the early Itauma onslaught. If Wardley can get through that, then it will be all Wardley. Who is certainly a great chin tester. Itauma is INCREDIBLY dangerous for 2-3 rounds. But then after that I don’t know - thats the question we haven’t found out yet. Chin, stamina, ring IQ, so many questions. Beating Whyte was an excellent win though that propels him into gatekeeper/wonderkid category. With Wardley he was reasonably competitive against Parker before the stoppage, which tells us alot. He has a great chin and his stamina is good enough to carry power late.
They won't fight anytime soon, if ever. But hypothetically, if they were to meet now, I'd back Wardley. He has less question marks on him at this stage than Itauma, who has only fought 26 pro rounds and never been tested like Wardley would test him.