Hey everyone so, much like everyone else I was very impressed with Itauma last night. Whatever you may think of Whyte and where he was in his career, he has only lost to Joshua, Povetkin, and Fury - 3 VERY good operators. And he avenged the Pov loss. That’s impressive. A 1 round blowout is also very impressive, however you slice it. we still haven’t learned much about the pressing questions of stamina and chin - so were I his promoter and matchmaker, I would follow in the young Tyson’s footsteps and have him fight very actively, and take out all the impressively deep B tier of current heavies. he barely broke a sweat last night, so stick him in with Wilder (who will also be looking for a a fight) before the fall. Come through that unscathed and I would then go after either Zhang or Miller before Christmas - guaranteed durability and pressure. After that, fight a rested Hrgovic. if he destroys, or comfortably out points all the above, the hype will be deafening - and he will have either answered questions, or just thrashed some very tough outs. And then that Tyson-esque air and aura will be somewhat more justified. it would also sort out the second tier of aging guys, and let him assume the mantle whilst sharpening his tools and staying active. Plus - it would be a hell of a lot of fun!
Agree with many of these points. Although Itauma would absolutely smash up Wilder as bad as Whyte if they fought this fall. Chisora, and Miller would be decent enough durable enough opponents that is capable of giving rounds if Itauma were to fight this fall and this is you saying he should fight two more times this year, which is possible and I'd like to see that happen. But it is pretty rare nowadays for a stage of fighter in their career to do so, considering Itauma only fought twice in a year not long ago. Say if Itauma beats Chisora/Miller in the autumn, I'd love to see Itauma fight Hrgovic or Kabayel on the undercard of Usyk V Parker. It feels to me that they are in a massive rush to get Itauma to fight Usyk before Usyk calls time on his career which may just be a year away at most.
I'd like to see him in with a durable gatekeeper who isn't shot, or who doesn't have the potential to dip overnight. He's fought enough cans and corpses now - let's see him with someone who can answer a few questions. Hrgovic would be a great matchup - he's mega durable, he's got enough power to expose china chins, but not enough to bust up anyone durable... And his stamina problems means he's very beatable on cards unless Itauma turns out to have a Zhang sized gas tank. Miller would be okay, he's at least durable (usually) but has an even worse gas tank than Hrgovic, and hits a bit harder too. Bakole might be okay, if he prepares properly... But if he doesn't, it could be a wasted bout. Chisora might tell us something, or might just be too old and too declined - and if it turns out he is, it's another wasted fight. There's no point putting him in with Wilder - he's just as shot as Whyte and wasn't as proven in their respective primes, either. I'd like to see him fight Hrgovic and if he can answer the questions about chin and stamina that that fight would ask, then it's time for a proper contender - if one is available.
Somewhat agree, Whyte is shot and many on here were expecting him to get blown out early. I’m very interested in Ituama’s career though and would like to see him vs Hrgovic next.
Dave Allen is the lowest risk with the biggest name. Something just tells me they aren't ready to put him in there with a serious puncher yet or someone with a chin. Either would derail the hype too much. Itauma doesn't look like a true natural big puncher to me he needs to put them together. So anybody with a chin or anybody that can actually throw their own punches back at him would be a major departure from the fighters hes fought so far.
Hurgovic is purfect as a test but not really great for keeping the hype train rolling with his chin. He's realistically more likely to be fighting David Adele next than Hrg.
He will continue fighting names who are in their late 30's early 40's they won't put him in with a serious threat for a while. If they continue down this route I would actually like to see him fight Zhang next.
Few are going to be excited at the prospect of facing Itauma and the absolutely shot Wilder, who doesn't even have his big right hand any more, should avoid him Itauma at all costs.
I'm actually liking the idea of Itauma getting in there with Andy Ruiz. Yeah I know I know. But Andy can take a shot, he'll give Moses some rounds and is bound to land a couple on him. It'd be a good bet to answer the stamina dn chin questions in a fight that doesn't carry as much risk and can be marketed as another step up fight. It won't happen, I'm absolutely dreaming, but it's the fight I'd make if I were guiding him.
