Moses Itauma Sets Sights on Anthony Joshua After Stunning Knockout
Fresh from a decisive stoppage victory over Jermaine Franklin, British heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma has openly discussed a potential clash with two-time world champion Anthony Joshua. According to reports from boxingnews.com, Itauma made history by becoming the first fighter to knock out the durable Franklin, achieving this feat in just five rounds at Manchester's Co-op Live arena last weekend.
When questioned about the possibility of facing Joshua, Itauma responded with a clinical statement: "If that's a fight to make, that's a fight to make." This bold declaration comes after Itauma's impressive performance against Franklin, who previously went the distance with both Joshua and Dillian Whyte, arguably earning Itauma a shot at the former champion.
Itauma's Rise and Joshua's Challenges
With this win, Itauma improves his professional record to 14-0, with 12 of those victories coming by way of knockout. He remains on a trajectory that could see him become the youngest British heavyweight champion in history. Promoter Frank Warren has praised Itauma as the "best heavyweight he's worked with, bar none," highlighting the fighter's potential.
In contrast, Anthony Joshua's 2026 has been marred by personal tragedy. Following a fatal car crash earlier in the year that claimed the lives of close friends, Joshua's return to training camp has been delayed. Promoter Eddie Hearn is currently targeting a late summer return, possibly in July or August, for the 36-year-old boxer.
Strategic Analysis and Future Fights
Tactically, a potential bout between Itauma and Joshua would feature a southpaw versus orthodox matchup. Itauma would likely aim to position his lead foot on the outside of Joshua's to create angles for his straight left hand. By establishing this early, he could force Joshua into a defensive posture, similar to his strategy in the third round against Franklin, before unleashing powerful combinations.
Itauma is known for using level-changing feints to the body, which condition opponents to drop their hands. Joshua, particularly during his 2025-2026 period under trainer Ben Davison, has shown a tendency to over-react to body shots, potentially leaving him vulnerable to Itauma's head-body-head combinations.
For Joshua, the key to victory would involve re-establishing his long-range dominance. With superior reach and veteran experience, Joshua would need to capitalize on Itauma's attempts to close the distance, possibly using a check hook or straight right hand—similar to the shot that floored Francis Ngannou.
Broader Boxing Landscape
Despite years of unsuccessful negotiations, a clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua remains a top priority in the heavyweight division. Fury is currently scheduled to face Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, while Joshua is still seeking an opponent for his return.
Warren is open to the idea of an Itauma vs. Joshua fight but is also considering a direct path for Itauma to challenge for a world title against Oleksandr Usyk later this year. Other British heavyweights like David Adeleye and Lawrence Okolie were present at the event, underscoring the vibrant state of the division.
As the boxing world watches closely, Itauma's call-out adds excitement to the heavyweight scene, with fans eagerly anticipating potential matchups that could reshape the landscape of the sport.
