Moses Itauma is set to challenge for the heavyweight world title at the end of the month, but rival promoter Eddie Hearn believes that one of his heavyweights could hand the youngster his first defeat in the future.
Itauma is boxing’s hottest prospect, with the 21-year-old having climbed the heavyweight rankings and earned a world title shot without ever fighting beyond the sixth round; knocking out 12 of his 14 professional opponents following an unbeaten amateur career.
In two weeks’ time, the Kent-based phenomenon collides with Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic in a showdown for the vacant IBF heavyweight crown, hoping to become break Floyd Patterson’s record as boxing’s second-youngest heavyweight champion of all time.
Although, whilst expecting Itauma to get the job done against Hrgovic, Eddie Hearn told FightHype of his interest in a clash between Itauma and Australian heavyweight, Teremoana Teremoana.
“I think that [Itauma-Teremoana] is the fight. Listen, Moses is already there, although Hrgovic is his first real test. I think that he wins and I think that he wins well, but it is a real test because he has never really fought a world-class, top 15 guy.
“He has had some solid opponents but Hrgovic is a legit top 15, top 10 guy, but Moses is very good and I rate him highly. The thing is, you have got to have that speed of foot and Teremoana has got it, but he has also got that power and he has got that strength.
“The most important things in heavyweight boxing; you have got to be able to punch, you have got to be tough, you have got to have a good chin – and he [Teremoana] has got all of them, but he has also fundamentals, a great jab, great movement.”
Teremoana has won by stoppage in all 11 of his pro bouts to date; nine of those contests ending in the opening round and the remaining two coming to a close in the second.
Speaking to DAZN, the 28-year-old shared his thoughts on a future scrap with Itauma, believing that his 6’6” stature would be too much for the Briton.
“When I think of him, he’s too small. He won’t be able to match me. My attributes are better.
“I’m a real heavyweight, 120 kilos. I walk around trying to lose weight basically. And that’s what I think.
“He’s a good fighter. There’s a lot of good fighters in this world. But eventually when we come to the point where we clash, I believe I’m going to get the job done.”
Teremoana takes on DeAndre Savage on Wednesday in Queensland as he headlines a card for the first time, supported by the likes of Michael Zerafa and Jack Bowen.
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