Reports that Itauma reportedly going to take Okolie over Gassiev

I mean, this is Okolie... Who not only desperately wants to be relevant, but doesn't have the best recent record for the truth.

Itauma just needs to fight live bodies - gatekeeper level guys is absolutely fine as long as they're not shot and can actually still operate at that level.

Okolie, Gassiev, Ajagba, Bakole, Sanchez - all acceptable opponents for a step further towards actual contenders (not that there are many of those at the moment).

 

Ajagba or bakole would actually impress me.

I'm fine with okolie, too. British matchup always makes sense and I'd rather see him face someone young that still wants to make a name for himself than whyte, pulev and so on who just want to cash out.
I feel like I would have to place gassiev somewhere in between. I often had the feeling that he fights without any urgency...

Also okolie makes ugly fights like almost no one else. So if itauma can look good there it would be impressive, too.

 

True.

But fighting Okolie is like fighting a big octopus. With his grappling and hugging tactics, he'll be a handful for Itauma.

 

Personally I'm glad he isn't going for that tin pot belt

 

Say what you want about Okolie (and I have said many bad things), but he does pack genuine power. Unless Itauma prepares extensively to avoid/punch out of the clinch then this is an awful matchup for him; Okolie will hold and lean on him for the first few rounds tiring out Itauma, after which he will become vulnerable to Okolie's right hand.

 

He is a brutal KO waiting to happen.

 

Itauma is like 20 years old. He absolutely doesn’t need to rush into tough fights anyways. And people should manage his career for him.

Right or wrong, and I think it’s absolutely wrong, but boxing fans will call you a bum if you lose a fight these days.