Moses Itauma Needs To Fight Better Opposition

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Perkin Warbeck, May 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM.


  1. Perkin Warbeck

    Perkin Warbeck Boxing aficionado Full Member

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    Age 41 Mike Balogun was no match for Moses Itauma. This level of opposition won't help him in his development, he needs to start fighting the top 25 heavyweights.

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  2. ellerbe

    ellerbe Loyal Member Full Member

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  3. Bigcheese

    Bigcheese Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He's still young so having stay busy fights isn't the worst thing for him.

    A guy like Vianello might give him some tough rounds.

    Frazier Clarke would also be a decent opponent.
     
  4. Boxing Gloves

    Boxing Gloves Boxing Addict Full Member

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    They are moving him fine, next fight he needs to go some rounds, but there doesn't need to be a rush, he's a baby at 20.
     
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  5. ipitythefool

    ipitythefool Prediction ? Pain Full Member

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    He sure needs to be more active. But got to say I was so impressed with that performance last night. His agility and hand speed is incredible.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
  6. Brighton bomber

    Brighton bomber Loyal Member Full Member

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    He does need to step up the level of competition. He shouldn't be fighting contenders or even gate keepers yet as he is only 20, but at some point just having these easy walk overs will be more detrimental than beneficial. They should throw him in with more durable guys or awkward guys who won't be a threat but can take him some rounds or provide a different challenge. I give guys like Balogun credit for at least trying to be aggressive but Itauma would learn more from an awkward opponent who is just trying to survive which forces him to find a way to break his opponent down.
     
  7. AlwaysFirst

    AlwaysFirst Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Moses looks good so far but how good is he, does he have the experience to start fighting ranked guys at only 20 yrs old?

    Looks like he was undefeated as amateur but only had 24 fights and being still young I think they moving him along in the right pace.
     
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  8. Perkin Warbeck

    Perkin Warbeck Boxing aficionado Full Member

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    Martin Bakole says it’s typically one-way traffic between him and Moses Itauma – that he doesn’t take aim at Itauma, even while the younger heavyweight speaks critically about Bakole.

    The 33-year-old Bakole, who lives in Scotland, was in attendance in Glasgow on Saturday for Itauma’s two-round clobbering of Mike Balogun on the undercard of Josh Taylor’s loss to Ekow Essuman. And when asked about Itauma’s performance, Bakole didn’t mince words.

    “He done well – but against someone who’s a bum,”
    “They have to give him a good test, he needs to fight good quality people and try to test himself if he want to be a world champion tomorrow.”
    Fighting soft old 41 year olds is not good for a talented 20 year old. HE NEEDS ROUNDS, or he won't be ready for a world title fight.
     
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  9. gneall

    gneall Active Member Full Member

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    He can't beat Tyson's youngest-ever record now, so just keep him busy fighting lower opposition while he grows into his abilities. If he does this level opponent for 3-4 more years, and then blasts onto the top level aged 23-25 he will still have a lot of time for a hell of a long career at the top, if he's that good.

    Advancing right now is not strategic at all
     
  10. fencik45

    fencik45 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He is taking the Wilder route.
     
  11. tragedy

    tragedy Active Member Full Member

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    He should fight Dave Allen
     
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  12. deadACE

    deadACE Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I can see Itauma fighting this level of opposition for a couple more years. I would have thought sparring would be more competitive.

    If he's not stepping up it must mean his team don't think he's ready.
     
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  13. peter_uk

    peter_uk Well-Known Member Full Member

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    A bit of a weird interview by him:
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    Genuinely seems he can't remember the fight; maybe he just goes in with a stream of consciousness sort of thing and fights on autopilot. Or maybe the few shots Balogun landed had more of an effect than we thought.
     
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  14. CST80

    CST80 De Omnibus Dubitandum Staff Member

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    They need to stop dicking around with him, put him in there with Jalalov.:uptosomething:
     
  15. Shazzar23

    Shazzar23 Demetrius Bivol Full Member

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    H
    He did eat a few shots.