Moses Itauma will step into the ring at Wembley Stadium on July 19 – but not against Martin Bakole or Joseph Parker.
After his resounding knockout victory over Mike Balogun, one thing is certain: heavyweight hopeful Moses Itauma will box on the undercard of the world championship duel between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at London’s Wembley Stadium on July 19. But contrary to speculation, it will not be Martin Bakole or Joseph Parker who will face him in the ring.
Bakole, who failed to impress against Efe Ajagba and was previously knocked out by Parker, is “not a serious option” according to promoter Frank Warren. Warren told The Ring: “We’re not in the Bakole business. I don’t know where these rumors are coming from. His trainer has also told us that he won’t be ready to fight again until December at the earliest.”
A possible fight against Joseph Parker has also been ruled out for Wembley. “Parker is currently the WBO interim champion – the fight is too big for the undercard budget,” Warren continued. In addition, Itauma’s career plan is clear: steady growth rather than overhasty. Although a world championship fight is within reach, the undefeated 20-year-old still wants to be given the opportunity to continue building his career.
Itauma (12-0, 10 knockouts) has boxed his way to the top of the WBO world rankings in a very short space of time with a series of dominant performances. He has ended his last eight fights prematurely, with his opponents having only been in the ring with him for a total of eleven rounds. Concrete options for his opponent in July are to be examined this week.
Text by Robin Josten