‘He shouldn't have been in there' – Eddie Hearn gives brutally honest view on Dillian Whyte after he's mauled by Itauma
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EDDIE HEARN insists Dillian Whyte had no business being in the ring with Moses Itauma.
The Brixton Body Snatcher was decimated by the 20-year-old prospect in their Saudi showdown in a mere 119 seconds.
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Dillian Whyte was decimated by Moses Itauma in their Saudi Arabian showdown on Saturday
Credit: GETTY
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Itauma took out the veteran heavyweight in just under two minutes
Credit: REUTERS
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Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn believes Whyte shouldn't have been in the ring with the undefeated 20-year-old
Credit: GETTY
Itauma hurt the veteran early doors and sent him hurtling to the canvas with a punishing right hook.
Whyte, 37, rose to his feet, but referee Mikael Hook saved him being rendered unconscious by waving off the contest.
And Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn insists the former WBC heavyweight title challenger, at this stage of his career, shouldn't have been put against a young and hungry lion in Itauma.
In an interview with Boxing News, he said of Itauma's stunning win: "[I was] very impressed.
"But I feel very sad for Dillian. He shouldn't have been in there, if I'm being honest.
'That was the worst matchup for him with no activity. I feel like that was always going to happen.
"Knowing Dillian at 38 years old, I found it hard to watch. That was one of the reasons he took the fight. The money was great."
Hearn expected Whyte to be up against it in the opening rounds but admits he didn't expect him to wilt so quickly.
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Moses Itauma is now a bona fide player in the heavyweight division after his KO of Dillian Whyte
Credit: GETTY
He continued: "Dillian is brave. He always believes he can win, but we always said those first three or four rounds were going to be horrendous for him.
"I didn't expect them to be that horrendous.
Moses Itauma leaves sports psychologist baffled as he reveals boxing is his 'drug' ahead of Dillian Whyte fight
'I just feel the punch resistance [wasn't there]. It was a lot of fast cupping shots on the side of the head, but it wasn't like [huge shots].
"He didn't look good on his feet.
"And someone as good and as special as Moses, it's going to be really difficult if you can't get through the start."
Itauma well and truly put the heavyweight division on notice with his destruction of Whyte.
And the Chatham clubber is willing to take on all comers in the fast-changing division.
"But I feel very sad for Dillian. He shouldn't have been in there, if I'm being honest."
Eddie Hearn on Dillian Whyte's loss to Moses Itauma
He said: "I thank Dillian, it takes two to tangle and he gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills.
'To be honest, for the first two minutes the nerves were there.
"But then I saw an opening that I could not miss and I executed the game plan.
'What's next? Honestly, I will fight anyone they put in front of me.
'If I am honest, Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel deserved their shot, but I would jump in with them lot.'
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