Moses Itauma ‘not ready’ to fight Daniel Dubois as Frank Warren provides update on Fabio Wardley rematch

Daniel Dubois has a plethora of options after stopping Fabio Wardley on Saturday to become a two-time heavyweight champion.

However, the talkSPORT Boxing panel doesn’t believe Moses Itauma should be his next opponent.

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Itauma vs Dubois?

Itauma, who was ringside for Dubois’ classic win over Wardley in Manchester, already has his next fight date set.

The 21-year-old is booked to make his return on August 8, having knocked out Jermaine Franklin in his last fight.

Itauma has been slowly tearing his way through the heavyweight ranks since his professional debut in January 2023.

And despite being the No. 1 contender to the WBO strap now held by Dubois, talkSPORT’s Gareth A. Davies and Spencer Oliver both believe it’s too soon for the youngster.

“I don’t think Moses is ready for Daniel Dubois,” Davies said on talkBOXING, alongside Adam Catterall, Paulie Malignaggi and Oliver immediately after the epic war in Manchester.

“I don’t think they’re ready to put Moses in with Daniel Dubois.”

Oliver agreed, adding: “There’ll be a different route for Moses Itauma.”

He then mentioned Bakhodir Jalolov as a suitable opponent for Itauma next, despite being ‘very impressed’ with the Uzbekistani’s win over Agron Smakici on the Wardley vs Dubois undercard.

Oliver continued: “We’ve got Moses Itauma and I’m hearing that [Jalolov] could be a fight because of what he brings to the table.

“It’s a sellable fight, a good fight for Moses. So let’s just see what happens, but not the winner of this one for Moses just yet.”

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Warren talks Wardley-Dubois rematch

Meanwhile, Queensberry’s Frank Warren caught up with Davies after watching his two heavyweight titans go to war.

Warren revealed after the fight that there is a rematch clause in the contract for Wardley vs Dubois, but is confident it’ll be at least six months before that conversation is even brought up.

“There is a rematch clause, but I don’t think that’ll be happening anytime soon,” Warren explained.

“They’re going to be out of the ring for a little while…

“There are quite a few heavyweight fights happening in the next few months, and that will determine where we go.”

Warren, of course, is referring to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk‘s clash with Dutch kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23.

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Usyk defends his WBC heavyweight strap against Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.

And Warren has previously threatened to sue the sanctioning body if Usyk, albeit he wins, is not ordered to face interim WBC titleholder Agit Kabayel next.

Usyk could choose to vacate the belt or ignore the mandatory order, meaning undefeated German fighter Kabayel would likely be upgraded to full champion.

Both names are possible destinations for Dubois next, although Usyk has already defeated the Briton twice.

Some members of the boxing fraternity have even mentioned Tyson Fury.

Fury is expected to meet Anthony Joshua later this year after the latter contests his warm-up fight against Kristian Prenga in July.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.