Moses Itauma urged to avoid new world champion and choose alternative route after brutal KO

Johnny Nelson believes Moses Itauma should steer his pursuit of a world title away from Murat Gassiev.

Itauma is almost guaranteed a world title shot if he beats Filip Hrgovic in the biggest test of his career on August 29.

The young British sensation has already been ordered to face IBF leading contender Frank Sanchez for the vacant title if he wins, a bout that could be revisited later in the year.

But he is also well ranked with the WBA and newly upgraded champion Murat Gassiev is open to the clash.

Itauma could well receive the call for that title belt too, leaving him with a dilemma for the back end of 2026 and early in 2027.

But former cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson believes Itauma should choose Sanchez, and should steer away from the Russian.

He said on the latest episode of talkSPORT Boxing: “Gassiev is a good fighter.

“He boxed Oleksandr Usyk and caused him problems. He is a clever guy. I wouldn’t go there yet.

“I would choose Sanchez.”

Gassiev made a first defence of his title with a dominant stoppage win over Peter Kadiru.

And having shared the ring but been beaten by Usyk in 2018, some are suggesting that he could be a realistic danger to Itauma.

As for Itauma, talkSPORT’s Spencer Oliver added that the young Briton now has the world at his feet, and can only be halted by his own decisions.

He added: “I think he’s the standout when you are looking at what we have in the division.

“Moses Itauma is head and shoulders above the rest of the prospects for sure.

“But I think for Moses the only downfall could be himself. But he is very humble and very grounded.

“I don’t think he is that character, he has his blinkers on and his ultimate goal is to win a world title.”

Warren – Itauma won’t sit around, he’s ready

For the 21-year-old, although time is on his side, handlers will not want to hold the frightening talent back from the upper echolons of the sport.

A victory over Hrgovic will be his biggest statement yet and one to suggest he has a one-way ticket punched for the big time.

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Promoter Frank Warren is hugely excited for what comes next.

He added: “He’s in with an Olympic medallist in Hrgovic, who’s got a wealth of experience.

“If [Itauma] wins, world title fight. He’s No 1 now, he could sit it out and wait for it but we want to keep him busy and get experience and that’s what he wants.

“I’d like that to happen, I’d like him to fight this year for it. We want to be able to get it done this year.”