Moses Itauma needed less than a round to end Dillian Whyte’s challenge in Riyadh, a blitz that immediately triggered talk from promoter Francis Warren about a world-title push by December, potentially even against undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. Warren told talkSPORT he wants Itauma out again once before a “big, big” fight at year’s end and insisted the 20-year-old is “ready for the big guys now.”
The manner of the finish, however, sparked debate. Critics panned Whyte’s performance and condition, while also noting the decisive shot appeared to land behind the head—no foul was called and the first-round KO stood. For some, the ease of victory only sharpened the question of opposition quality and what, exactly, a December title leap should be built on.
Watch the official post-fight interview: Watch
If the Usyk talk is serious, the next assignment needs bite. Names like Agit Kabayel or Joseph Parker were floated to Warren, who declined to commit but stressed Itauma’s strong ranking position. The message: keep the momentum, raise the difficulty, and arrive in December with a win that travels.
Whyte now faces an uncertain path after another early knockout defeat. Itauma, by contrast, is accelerating - yet even believers concede a tougher tune-up would add credibility before any crack at the summit. If Team Itauma gets one more sturdy dance partner in the fall and he looks as ruthless as he did in Riyadh, “ready for the big guys” won’t sound like hype. It’ll read like a schedule.
Image Credit: Getty Images