Moses Itauma’s rise has been one of the most compelling stories in boxing of late. As a 20-year-old heavyweight prospect with a flawless 12-0 record and 10 knockouts, his upcoming fight against Dillian Whyte on August 16, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia represents a major leap. This bout serves as a critical test of his readiness for elite-level competition. Frank Warren, head of Queensberry Promotions, has already begun crafting the next phase of Itauma’s career, identifying three opponents that offer both challenge and progression without rushing headlong into world-title territory. This article examines those potential matchups, evaluates their strategic value, and maps out a credible trajectory toward championship contention.
Context & Why the Whyte Fight Matters
Moses Itauma’s undefeated run has been nothing short of sensational. Since turning pro in early 2023, he has dispatched opponents such as Marcel Bode, Ilja Mezencev, Demsey McKean, and Mike Balogun, often within the first two rounds.His relentless power and quick finishes have generated comparisons to Mike Tyson and drawn attention to his southpaw style until now largely untested under prolonged pressure.
On the other side of the ring stands Dillian Whyte: a seasoned 37-year-old former title challenger with a 31-3 record and 21 knockouts to his name Bad Left HookThe Sun. While there have been concerns over his inconsistent activity and past controversies, Whyte’s experience and power make him a formidable hurdle. His revamped conditioning leaner, more muscular than before and renewed focus on strategy have reignited intrigue around his return.
For Itauma, this fight isn’t just about preserving his perfect record, it’s about demonstrating he can handle adversity, strategy, and the centripetal forces of a veteran’s experience. A dominant win here would dramatically elevate his profile and set the stage for carefully orchestrated next steps.
Warren’s Vision The Three Proposed Opponents
Frank Warren speaks with both ambition and restraint when discussing potential opponents for Itauma after the Whyte fight. His emphasis is on building momentum strategically, not rushing into world title fights prematurely.
He remarked, “I like [Otto] Wallin, [Filip] Hrgović, or [Zhilei] Zhang. I think those three fights are the kinds of fights we’ll be looking at for the next 12 months before we get to next summer and we start talking about some serious top-level guys for world titles. But those three fights make sense to me.”
Each of these opponents brings unique tests and value:
Otto Wallin
Otto Wallin is a Swedish southpaw with a reputation as a resilient gatekeeper. His 27-3-1 record includes gritty performances against Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Derek Chisora, all high-calibre bouts where Wallin held his own, especially against Fury. His style, technical, pressure-based, and defensively sound would challenge Itauma’s adaptability and pacing without being overwhelming.
Filip Hrgović
Filip Hrgović, a top-ranked Croatian heavyweight, represents a step up in class. An Olympic medalist and a feared puncher, he is currently headline material and could be a pivotal test. Warren’s interest hinges on whether Hrgović defeats David Adeleye, a fight set to be a high-stakes encounter itself. A successful outing here could signal whether Itauma is ready to confront the global contenders or needs more seasoning.
Zhilei Zhang
Zhilei Zhang of China offers power, experience, and southpaw nuance. A former interim title challenger, Zhang’s momentum has been halted by losses to Joseph Parker and a quick stoppage by Agit Kabayel. Nonetheless, his size and experience present a credible calibration fight: dangerous enough to test Itauma, but potentially manageable if Itauma controls distance and tempo.
These three names share a balance; they pose meaningful challenges while aligning with a structured, reputation-building path. It’s part of a broader vision that prioritizes growth, readiness, and audience cultivation ahead of a possible world-title bid.
Strategic Analysis & Alternatives
Warren’s chosen list reveals not just promotional opportunism, but a respect for the boxer’s career arc. He stresses that too early a leap, say, into confrontation with Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury — could be premature unless Itauma is mentally, physically, and tactically ready.
One alternative name occasionally floated is Martin Bakole, but sources suggest he’s off the table for now, perhaps due to readiness or stylistic mismatch.
Fan sentiment particularly from boxing communities on Reddit often reflects intrigue mixed with skepticism. One fan noted:
“Frank Warren is eyeing Otto Wallin & Jermaine Franklin for Moses Itauma next.”
While Franklin isn’t in the official shortlist, such discourse illustrates that the boxing public wants to see Itauma take meaningful, measured walks toward global contention.
FAQs
Who is Moses Itauma fighting next after Dillian Whyte?
Frank Warren has earmarked Otto Wallin, Filip Hrgović, and Zhilei Zhang as the most logical post-Whyte opponents, offering meaningful challenges while allowing Itauma to grow confidently before facing elite-level heavyweights
Why did Frank Warren rule out Martin Bakole as an opponent?
While Bakole has been discussed in boxing circles, logistical readiness and promotional direction appear to have shifted Warren’s focus toward Wallin, Hrgović, and Zhang, who embed a clearer developmental logic into Itauma’s path.
What styles do Wallin, Hrgović, and Zhang bring to the ring?
Otto Wallin is a durable southpaw with technical, pressure-driven tactics that test adaptability. Hrgović, as a powerful Croatian contender, represents a physically imposing and elite-level test. Zhang is a seasoned southpaw whose size and experience offer a tangible threat without being overwhelming.
When could Itauma be ready for a world title shot?
Strategy suggests a methodical climb: securing convincing wins over these three opponents in the next 12 months would build momentum and readiness. If all goes well, that could set the stage for world-title discussions come summer 2026.
Conclusion
Frank Warren’s naming of three potential Moses Itauma opponents Wallin, Hrgović, and Zhang reveals a balanced, strategic foresight. Rather than rushing headlong into a world-title bout, the plan emphasizes gradual escalation, essential challenges, and reputation-building. Itauma’s upcoming fight with Dillian Whyte is crucial: a convincing win there justifies this cautious but ambitious trajectory toward heavyweight stardom.
For boxing fans, this is more than speculative matchmaking; it’s the blueprint of a calculated ascent. Stay tuned for fight results, expert commentary, and further developments in Itauma’s potentially historic rise.
If you’d like to explore how these opponents match up statistically or want a breakdown of Itauma’s earlier career progression explore Boxing Essential.
