Moses Itauma to headline the 02 Arena on July 25th

Forgot about that yeah. If not Ruiz, perhaps Zhang. I know I said no over-40s, but I make an exception for this one haha. Zhang's another with an iron chin, and Itauma would have to actually worry about what comes back at him. Then Hrgovic can probably come after. Then... I can't see how he doesn't finally get the title shot after that.

 

he has a trinket, and with Usyk not staying around forever we will be elevated

it’s a good move

 

Wardley is the current champion, so above number 1. Not sure if Kabayel is on the WBO rankings, and presumably with Dubios coming off a KO loss he wouldn't be ranked 1 either.

But who knows? Ranks aren't exactly the most reliable.

 

I don't think either of them will really test Itauma tbh. He needs someone a bit closer to their prime as opposed to retirement.

 

Division is in a wonky place right now. The guys that are clearly enough to test Moses are guys he doesn't deserve to fight yet and who are probably a step too far at this point in time.. Wardley, Kabayel, Dubois, obviously Usyk, etc. Most of the rest of the division isn't a real big step up, wouldn't really take the fight to him, and/or wouldn't want that fight anyway.

There are three guys I think would be a decent step up in competition while also being dudes that would push Moses to see if he's really got the goods. Unfortunately, two of those dudes are rusty as hell. They would be Andy Ruiz and Martin Bakole. The third guy would be a dude who has been calling Moses out but obviously won't get a fight with him. That would be Torrez Jr. All three of those guys have interesting traits and they will actually fight.

Andy is a tank with wickedly fast hands. If he's in shape he's dangerous for anybody. Of course he hasn't fought in forever and wants multiple tunes ups which means he's not gonna be in Moses' timeline.

Bakole is huge, has deceptively quick hands, is durable when he's not coming to fight straight off the couch, and has no problem just walking forward and throwing. Unfortunately, he's in a spat with Shalom and hasn't fought in forever, either.

Torrez is interesting because he's also a southpaw, has a ton of energy and movement, and he's kind of a spaz/erratic. He's also a super pressure fighter so Moses wouldn't be able to just stand there and swing for the fences. But who is gonna allow Torrez to risk his zero this early in his career? Hell, Frank ain't gonna allow Moses to risk his zero this early in his career against a guy like Torrez, either.

I agree that Hrgovic or Gassiev would be a step up from the poor competition Moses has fought so far. It's just their styles aren't going to trouble Moses whatsoever. Both guys just don't move at all. They don't pressure. They just throw punches and get beat on. I just don't think we learn much from either of those fights, though I'd much rather see Moses in versus either of those guys than another washed up dude on the wrong side of 40 or a Dave Allen or something.

 

Good analysis.

Yeah, it would be great to see Itauma test himself against a proper come-forward fighter, that is comfortable on the front-foot.

Prime Ruiz would have been interesting, its a shame he has lived off his win against AJ and has done nothing since. I've been suspicious of Bakole for a while even before his loss against Parker, he has proven he can beat hype jobs in Yoka and Anderson - but he is a bit of a hype job himself too. If he is at 100% - we'll see, also his chin concerns me a bit too. Torrez - a bit unproven even if he is a decorated amateur but would certainly pose a very interesting stylistic challenge that will actually come and fight and is fresh, young and ready to prove a point.

I actually would like to see Itauma against Zhang as well, again Zhang has his flaws but the early rounds would be really interesting as he is a tough man who is accurate, a little unpredictable and is a murderous puncher.

 

Ideally, it'll be someone like Hrgovic, or even Torrez Jr., Vianello, Huni, Wilder, or Bakole would also be acceptable.

Likely it'll be someone like Riakporhe, Hughie Fury, or David Adeleye.

 

He would likely become WBA mandatory to Usyk (that was the route Dubois took) - though the order is WBC before WBA.

I don't think it would negatively affect him much. It won't stop him getting a fight with the winner of Wardley/Dubois if Frank wants it.

 

I'm going to copy what I put in our esteemed Heavyweight and Cruiserweight thread

Wilder- hmmm I could see it, I think wilder gets pummeled
Zhang- will warren put another one of his charges against Zhang after what happened to Joyce? Im guessing no
Gassiev- team itauma seemed to shut up real quick about fighting for that WBA title after Pulev was kod by Gassiev
Hrgy- most likely IMO, the real question is can hrgy bear make it out of the Dave Allen fight without a bad cut that will take months to heal?
Riakpohre- isn't he with Shalom? If so I'm guessing not him


I also agree there should be a full investigation into Itaumas ludicrous ranking.

I'll also add someone here....Tony Yoka now that his fight with okolie has fallen off i could see them going for that as well

Yoka, Hrgy, Wilder I think they will go with one of them, probably Hrgy Bear if his face holds up against Allen (and that's not a given)

 

Adeleye, Yoka or Vianello would at least be a small step up from the competition Itauma's faced so far.

I don't think the Warrens want to risk it vs a puncher like Zhang (or even Gassiev)... If Zhang catches him it could be the end of Frank Warren's golden goose.

 

I don't think the Zhang fight is a good fight at this point. He hasn't fought since being systematically broken down by Kabayel, and is 43 in a few weeks. Itauma would have the speed and footwork to tire him out for 3 rounds, drain his power, take all his stamina, and then take him out as Kabayel did. He needs to fight somebody who is skilled and is either in their prime or on the way up.

 

Right on the money. No use continuing to fight old men because he'd never get any credit for it anyway

 

WBA

Lol

 

It probably would be a British stoppage. Don't think I've ever seen you say anything positive about Hrgovic though.