‘He's miles off' – Brit heavyweight ace tipped for stardom ‘shouldn't be in conversation' for world titles, says rival
RISING British boxing star Moses Itauma has been warned against taking on world titles fights at this stage of his career.
Heavyweight rival Dave Allen reckons the 20-year-old has the talent, but lacks the necessary experience to challenge a world champion.
3
3
Itauma 's professional record stands at 12-0 with his most recent win against Mike Balogun in the WBO Inter-Continental bout in Glasgow.
The Slovak-born Brit dropped his American opponent Bologun, 41, three times in two rounds, before ending it with a TKO.
And WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Dave Allen has given his opinion on the breakthrough star.
Allen told talkSPORT: 'I think he's the real deal, but to go from the opposition he is facing to a Joseph Parker would be irresponsible matchmaking.
'People are talking about Itauma boxing for a world title soon, he is miles off it right now."
'He can beat anyone in two or three rounds at the moment. But we haven't seen him go past that yet.
'I think he's an incredible prospect, but that's all he is still."
The rising heavyweight star turned professional two years ago and already has 10 KOs on his record.
Allen recognised Itauma's talent, but believes he should take a more calculated root to a shot at a world title.
He added: 'We haven't even seen him box for a British title yet. Demsey McKean is British title level, he shouldn't be in that conversation for Joseph Parker yet.
'Not for talent, offensively he is already one of the best heavyweights in the world. But he hasn't been hit back and hasn't been hit under pressure."
Allen named Anthony Joshua's rival Jermaine Franklin as the perfect opponent to take him past the first rounds.
The 33-year-old said: 'We need to see him in with someone who gives him a fight, I think someone like Jermaine Franklin.
'I think he can become world champion, but talk of titles right now is just too much, he's miles off."
Itauma, who is Frank Warren's fighter, was initially tipped as the teenager to break Mike Tyson's youngest world champion record at the age of 20 years and four months.
He will likely return on July 19 on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk's rematch with Daniel Dubois.
3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
15 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Allegations of rape at rowing club ‘deeply concerning' say Sport England and UK Sport
Allegations of rape and harassment at one of Britain's most prestigious rowing clubs have been described as 'deeply concerning' by Sport England and UK Sport. Both funding bodies have raised their concerns with British Rowing after the Telegraph reported there had been three separate alleged rape incidents involving male rowers within the past five years at the Leander Club, which supplied more than half of Team GB's rowers at the Paris Olympics. According to the Telegraph, the women rowers at the club had taken to wearing white ribbons and pink vests in 2024 to protest against what was described as 'the worst-kept secret in British rowing', and that several male members also joined them in protest. In a statement, Sport England, the funding body of grassroots sport in England, said it had raised the matter with British Rowing and urged the victims to go to the police. 'These are deeply concerning allegations regarding both behaviours and cultures, and our thoughts are with those who have been impacted,' it said. 'It is vital that sports clubs are safe and welcoming, and that all issues are investigated swiftly and properly. 'We encourage any individual who has experienced such behaviour to report directly to the police. Sport England has raised this matter with British Rowing, and we will continue to monitor the situation.' A similar message was conveyed by UK Sport, which funds elite sport across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 'Our thoughts are with those affected by the allegations which have recently been reported, and we take matters of integrity and safeguarding extremely seriously,' it said. 'We encourage any member of staff or athlete on Olympic and Paralympic performance programmes to report allegations of unacceptable behaviour to Sport Integrity, the confidential reporting line. In light of these deeply concerning allegations, we are in contact with British Rowing.' In a statement, the Leander Club said it took seriously all issues relating to the safeguarding its athletes. 'We have strict procedures in place to carefully examine any formal complaints and regularly review our club disciplinary processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, treating our athletes fairly and with respect,' it added. A British Rowing spokesperson said it was not able to comment on individual safeguarding concerns and processes conducted at clubs owing to their confidential nature. 'As such there is a very limited amount that we can say when we are approached in connection with issues that fall into this category,' it added. 'What we are able to say categorically is that the safety of people taking part in our sport is the very first item of importance on our agenda. We investigate anything reported to us fully and comprehensively, as you would expect and as it is our remit to do. This would have been the case if sufficient information had been raised with us to conduct an investigation in respect of the raised allegations.'
BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
'That sums up modern football, doesn't it?'
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton on Tottenham's decision to dismiss manager Ange Postecoglou:"I'm not a Tottenham fan but, from the outside, the reason Postecoglou was employed was because they wanted to win a trophy and, if they couldn't do that, they wanted to watch an entertaining team - and I think he has ticked both boxes."I am not saying it has been brilliant this season because I understand the Premier League has been a disappointment - but he has won a major European trophy and that is a huge achievement - their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup and their first European trophy since the Uefa Cup in 1984. He has done something no other manager has done there in 41 years, since Keith Burkinshaw."To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers."You only have to look at the other side of north London, where Mikel Arteta has won one trophy in five years - the FA Cup in 2020 - and he is still in a job, and Arsenal are still building."Ange has had to sell Harry Kane in the process too. In many ways, when something like this happens to a manager then I just always think he is better off out of it."He was largely ridiculed when he came out and said he always wins a trophy in his second season, but if you looked at his track record he was right. He showed a bit of belief, then he went and did what he said he would - and Tottenham fans will remember that night for a long time."Have your say on Postecoglou's departure
BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
Mateta a 'great player' and a 'unique' threat
Former West Ham, Wolves and Crystal Palace coach Edu Rubio on Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta:"I didn't work with him; I missed him. I left Palace before he arrived. He is a great player and a very well-liked character, from what my friends there say."His uniqueness is that he can be used as a target man to bring the ball down after a long ball, and also a player who can combine and link up play in the opposition's half."Mateta has helped Palace tremendously in counters by always finding the ball, bringing it down and finding the right set or forward pass to keep the momentum of the attack."He can score from long range, from inside the box and in set-pieces, so he is a good attacking weapon to have, especially for a team playing with only one striker on the pitch."He can sometimes lose concentration in the high press, despite his application."As he will do next season, he can definitely play in a team playing in Europe, and he can do that consistently in the next few years."
