Eddie Hearn Open to Anthony Joshua vs. Moses Itauma Clash

A potential showdown between heavyweight boxers Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma could be on the horizon, but it hinges on the stipulation of a world title being at stake, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. Itauma, who is still in the early stages of his professional career, recently made headlines with a stunning victory over Dillian Whyte, showcasing his impressive skills and potential.

The age difference between the fighters is significant, with Joshua being 15 years older than Itauma. Joshua has already achieved the status of a unified heavyweight champion on two occasions. Frank Warren, Itauma’s promoter, expressed enthusiasm for the matchup, stating, “I’d do that [AJ-Itauma fight] tomorrow,” although he noted that the fight is unlikely due to both fighters sharing the same trainer, Ben Davison.

Hearn’s Perspective on the Fight

Eddie Hearn, who represents Joshua, acknowledged the potential for a fight with Itauma, provided it is for a world heavyweight championship. He remarked, “I don’t really look at the Moses fight and think that’s a fight for AJ. There’s many reasons for that. One, what do you gain out of it?”

Hearn highlighted the risks associated with such a matchup. He noted that if Joshua were to win, he would have defeated a 20-year-old, and if he lost, it could have serious implications for his career. “It’s a dangerous fight; I rate Moses very highly,” Hearn added.

Despite the risks, Hearn recognized Joshua’s willingness to engage in the bout. “AJ, his decision would be completely different. He would probably be bang up for fighting Moses. He’d find that exciting, and if there was a chance to fight Moses for the world heavyweight title, we’d take it in a heartbeat.”

Itauma’s Development and Future Prospects

While Hearn admires Itauma’s talent, he advocates for a measured approach to his career progression. “I think that Moses has a lot of work to do. He’s an extraordinary talent, but we have no idea if he can tick the boxes that are required to be a true great and a true champion in the division,” Hearn explained. He raised concerns about Itauma’s ability to handle pressure in high-stakes situations, questioning, “What’s his chin like? What’s it like when it gets really tough in the trenches?”

Hearn emphasized that before any potential title fight, Itauma needs to face tougher competition. He suggested matchups against fighters such as Agit Kabayel, Martin Bakole, or Jarrell Miller to better assess Itauma’s capabilities. “Moses is going to be a world heavyweight champion… But I would take it a little bit slower,” Hearn concluded.

As the boxing community watches closely, the prospects of a Joshua-Itauma fight remain contingent on several factors, including Itauma’s continued development and the availability of championship opportunities. The potential clash promises to be a significant event in the heavyweight division, should it materialize.