Some want him hot, some want him cold, some want him when he’s over one hundred years old

By Ed Emeanua

The fear of Moses Itauma (13-0 11KO) appears to be the beginning of wisdom for some prospective opponents who are scared of facing the heavyweight boxing prodigy.

The WBO number 1 contender has a December 13 fight date at the Co-op Arena, Manchester England.

He will main event the bill that is promoted by Queensberry and shown live by DAZN. The venue is booked but the main event card is yet to be set. There is no opponent ready for a fight with Itauma.

Many have been called to fight the British Heavyweight boxing sensation, but only few are choosing to take the risk. It is apparent that some in the heavyweight rank prefer taking on “The Wrecking Ball” just when he’s visibly ice-cold and worn.

Some other potential opponents in the fighter’s weight class seem to be willing to wait it out and box Itauma only when he’s well over hundred years, old, and shriveled up. Yet, only few are willing to take the bold step to fight him now that he’s red hot and sizzling.

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Filip Hrgovic, Derek Chisora, Tyson Fury, and Jermaine Franklin are just some heavyweights that have been offered a chance to face the hard-hitting Itauma. But for one reason or another, these likely challengers have all bypassed the opportunity for a fight with the rising star.

Retiring veteran heavyweight Chisora refused a cool $2M in June to be the 13th opponent in Itauma’s promising career in Saudi Arabia.

Had ‘The War‘ accepted to fight him, the clash would have also been the 50th and last bout in the 41-year-old Zimbabwean-British heavyweight boxer’s over two decades career.

Chisora told talkSPORT: “I had a phone call a couple of weeks ago. “They offered me to fight Moses Itauma in Saudi.”

However, in spite of the $2 million purse offer, Chisora turned his back on the huge payday, adding, “I said how much? They said a couple of million, and I said ‘Nah, I’m out.’” 

Tyson Fury, who retired in January after two back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk has also made it clear that he wouldn’t be caught inside the same ring with Itauma.

The “Gypsy King” who in May of last year, lost the match for the undisputed title to Usyk, and the rematch in which the Ukrainian retained all the belts has recently been very affirmative about a likely trilogy with Usyk next year.

Now, Fight maker Frank Warren, who promotes matches for the Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer has been running into roadblocks while hunting down worthy oppositions for Itauma.

Warren has found to his chagrin that some potential opponents for his rising ward doesn’t want any part of a hot ‘n sassy Itauma.

As the days go by, and the weeks race on, the list of likely heavyweight challenger rejections for the British heavyweight boxing rave-of-the-moment is steadily growing longer.

Just as the catalog of top foes willing to go toe-to-toe with Itauma is also swiftly running thin, those asking to take him on right now are turning out to be the hungriest in the division, but, less likely to shore up Itauma’s ranking.

Trainer Ben Davison has affirmed to DAZN that his talented heavyweight fighting phenomenon is ready for a showdown with undisputed champion Usyk. But, ‘The Cat’ is currently out of the reckoning on account of his continuing hiatus due to the Ukrainian’s lingering injury status. 

The hot 20-year-old heavyweight boxing rave-of-the-moment, Itauma, kayoed Dillian Whyte, in the first of their 10 round contest last month. But it seems the victorious boxer in that contest is not figuring highly in the demand for the hottest prospects in his rank who are eager to challenge him in his next fight date.

Rather, the win over Whyte appears to have scared off potential opposition for ‘The Wrecking Ball’ who’s major quest is a swift ring return in December against a top 10 contender.

This is driven by Team Itauma’s hopes of furthering his heavyweight fighting fame that is currently hotter than July.

A gloss over of potential heavyweight opponents who have rejected the opportunity to clash with Itauma in the ring in his proposed December matchup incidentally reveals the who-is-who of the heavyweight rank.

The ‘want-no-part of Trauma front runner’ following his first round knockout of Whyte at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in August is former Anthony Joshua challenger Hrgovic.

The Croatian became the initial favorite to fight Itauma after coming out victorious in his fight in the Itauma vs. Whyte undercard in Saudi Arabia.

Hrgovic’s win in Saudi Arabia was made even more remarkable for his having emerged from a ghastly gash to his right eye during his fight, but bounced back to floor and defeat David Adeleye on points in their enthralling contest.

However, Itauma’s trainer has told DAZN 2 days ago that Hrgovic has spurned the chance to fight his 20-year-old heavyweight kayo artiste.

Davison said that American heavyweight Franklin also rejected the opportunity to box with the British fighter.

On the issue of likely upcoming fight for The Wrecking Ball, Davison told Sky Sports: “Those are the two on everybody’s lips. They’re not interested, and it’s the same for pretty much all of them, so it’s difficult. It’s difficult to get these opponents at this moment in time. They’re not interested; they don’t want to play ball.

“They just want so much money to box him; it’s hard to get the opponents.”

Itauma’s promoter Warren hinted the Croatian priced himself out of the proposed December fight date.

“There’s two ways to say you don’t want to fight,” Warren told talkSPORT Boxing.

“You say I don’t want the fight or I want a trillion pounds for it.”

According to DAZN, Warren is adamant a looming fight notice is in the offing, adding, “It will be a top 10 ranked opponent.”

DAZN has reported that alternative top 10 rated heavyweight opponents who are feasible to take on Itauma consist of Lawrence Okolie, Martin Bakole, and Jarrell Miller.

Okolie injured a bicep in his last fight in July and his return date is in limbo. Bakole has not been no where near a boxing event since his boring draw with Efe Ajagba and will be ready for a fight before the year runs out.

Miller was billed to box with Michael Hunter last week, but Hunter was unavailable due to statutory discord. According to DAZN, Miller is a tough and skillful boxer that is certain to give Itauma the exposure his team thinks he needs before moving up to take a shot at a world title.

According to DAZN, there are also the pair of Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley on Itauma’s consideration. The two fellow contenders are billed to fight on October 25 in London with the winner next in line to challenge undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The two heavyweights  Queensberry boxers are the WBO and WBA interim heavyweight champions. DAZN argues that since Itauma is ranked in the top 10 within three of the four authorizing organizations and is therefore perfectly situated to fight with the winner in 2026, in spite of currently sharing the same trainer with Wardley.