21 years old. 15 pro fights, coming off a loss against his first attempt at top 10 world level. As a match maker, where does he go? Obviously he's young enough to come again and the loss was more from lack of experience. should he have a run of Confidence build fights that consist of easy early round KO's against nobodies? Jump back in with a big name?
These negative posts are a bit of an overreaction aren't they? The irony is, if Itauma had gone 10/12 rounds with Franklin, he would've won tonight.
Evidently, Itauma goes home on a stretcher by Mr Pillow Fist Hrgovic!! Learn the principles of boxing at the professional level first before coming back, specifically, that you must train for a 12 round fight, not for a 3 round KO. Because some HWs can endure, and even fight back in those deeper waters. I guess they learned that lesson in the ring tonight. Shameful.
For me he needs to get rid of Ben Davidson. Shane McGuigan would be perfect for him. I'd try to get the rematch ASAP but I think that will be unlikely, so for me its fights where he can get rounds, Joe Parker will be looking for a fight! Honestly think Itauma is still the future, learn from the experience and keep going, he showed tonight he more than belongs at this level. He will learn more from tonight than any win.
Parker would be the perfect opponent. He's got a pretty decent chin but doesn't throw for tons of power. Start training Itauma for actual 12 round fights and make sure he never skips the treadmill. He needs a bit more seasoning before he competes for a title again.
Needs and needed some more Franklin type fights. Should have had about five of them leading up to the Hrgovic fight. Comeback Franklin level then a couple of fights against guys slightly better than Franklin but not nearly as good as Hrgovic. Needs 3 or 4 fights before trying again at World level. Although he got the job done against Franklin and hes vastly more skilled....he was starting to blow in that fight.