Itauma eyes January return as Dubois says he wants to fight him

Moses Itauma's first loss has not ended the talk around him. Within days of it, a world champion is asking for him, and his promoter has a return in mind.

Itauma, 21, was stopped on his feet in round nine by Filip Hrgovic, who took the vacant IBF heavyweight title. He had knocked Hrgovic down in round two and largely controlled the early rounds, but he tired badly. He had never gone past six rounds as a professional. Frank Warren says he is set to fight early next year, and a mid-tier opponent looks more likely than a return straight to world level, according to Boxing News.

The loss brought criticism of his trainer, Ben Davison, with some asking why so much energy was spent early. Speaking publicly for the first time since the defeat, Itauma defended Davison and the rest of his team, including Lee Wylie and Barry Smith. "It's only after a loss, he said of the questions. Since the fight he has also travelled to Las Vegas and been filmed training at the Mayweather Boxing Club.

Daniel Dubois, 29, is the one waiting at the top. He retained his WBO title with a second-round finish of Fabio Wardley and told Sky Sports he wants Itauma soon, so the fight happens while both are at their most competitive. He called the Itauma-Hrgovic fight great and said there was no shame in the result, and he believes Itauma can rebuild because of the backing around him. Dubois also recalled his own 2020 stoppage loss to Joe Joyce, saying it and other setbacks made him stronger.

Hrgovic, for his part, has said Itauma may be the best opponent he has faced, though he named Dubois as the harder puncher.

For now this is talk. Itauma has no opponent or date, and Dubois has not been matched with anyone either. The first sign to watch is who Warren picks for the January comeback, and whether it points toward a Dubois fight later.