Moses Itauma next fight to be moved to avoid Anthony Joshua comeback clash

Moses Itauma’s next fight has been pushed back.

The Chatham southpaw had been due to return to the ring on July 25 at the O2 Arena.

However, in light of Anthony Joshua’s tune-up fight with Kristian Prenga falling on the same date in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Queensberry has been forced to delay Itauma’s bout until August 8.

During an appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show on Monday night, Queensberry chief Frank Warren said: “We could’ve gone into a head-to-head and all this c***, but it is what it is.

“We’ll just move forward and keep moving forward.

“We’ve got a great, great show we’ll have on the 8th.“

The last time he stepped between the ropes, Itauma blew away Jermaine Franklin inside five rounds to further cement his position with the four major sanctioning bodies.

Itauma is currently ranked No.1 by the WBA and WBO, No.2 by the WBC and No.5 by the IBF.

The 21-year-old is also the mandatory challenger for Murat Gassiev’s WBA ‘regular’ belt.

Itauma, therefore, has a lot of options at his disposal for his next outing.

“We’re working on a couple of names,” said Warren when pressed on an opponent for August.

“Nothing signed yet, but he’ll be out that night.

Getty

“Until the contract’s signed, I don’t like saying.”

US debut

Providing he passes his next assignment, Warren is planning for Itauma to break into the US market.

“What I’m looking forward to doing this year is bringing him to the States,” added Warren.

“November, December, we will bring him out.

“Whatever it is, it will have to be a big fight.”

Watch Boxing on DAZN

*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue

Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.

Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.

Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.

Click here to sign up.