Itauma to return in January after first defeat
Amidst the discussions of world titles and veteran superstars, the story of Moses Itauma remains one of the most compelling subplots in British boxing. The 21-year-old heavyweight prospect from Chatham has long been touted as the future of the division, a "can’t-miss" talent with the speed and power to eventually dominate the world stage. However, the road to the top hit a significant speed bump in August.
In a bold move by his management, Itauma was fast-tracked into a world-title fight against the vastly more experienced Filip Hrgovic. For the opening rounds, the gamble appeared to be paying off. Itauma utilized his superior hand speed and athletic fluidity to dominate the early exchanges, leaving the Croatian veteran looking uncharacteristically flustered. But as the fight entered the middle rounds, the physical and mental demands of a championship-level bout began to take their toll.
Itauma visibly tired, having perhaps expended too much energy in his pursuit of an early knockout. Hrgovic, a seasoned professional who has operated at the elite level for years, sensed the shift in momentum. He began to overwhelm the younger man, eventually stopping Itauma in the ninth round to claim the vacant IBF heavyweight title. It was a sobering moment for the prospect, marking his first professional defeat in 15 bouts.
Despite the setback, Warren remains steadfast in his belief in Itauma’s potential. He confirmed that the young heavyweight will return to the ring in January to begin the rebuilding process. "He’s fighting in January. We’ll be announcing his fight in the next couple of weeks," Warren said. "We had a constructive meeting a couple of weeks ago. We let the dust settle, talked about what happened against Hrgovic."
The strategy for Itauma is now focused on the long game. At just 21 years old, time is firmly on his side. The loss to Hrgovic is being viewed as a vital learning experience rather than a career-ending failure. The goal is to return with a series of developmental fights throughout 2025 and 2026, with the aim of putting him back in the world-title conversation by 2027—fitting perfectly into Warren’s broader unification timeline.
"Moses comes back and has a fight and wants to be in the mix," Warren added. "He’s only 21 and he wants 2027 to be the year he wins a world title."
As the heavyweight division prepares for a frantic end to 2024, the pieces of the puzzle for the next three years are beginning to fall into place. From the immediate fireworks expected at the O2 Arena this Saturday to the strategic maneuvering involving Usyk, Fury, and Joshua, Frank Warren is betting on a future where his stable reigns supreme. The road to 2027 is long and fraught with risk, but for the current crop of heavyweight champions and contenders, the stakes have never been higher.
