Eddie Hearn admits a world title would have to be at stake for Anthony Joshua to step into the ring with Moses Itauma.
Hearn, Joshua’s career-long promoter, was ringside last month in Riyadh, as rising heavyweight Itauma dispatched of former world title challenger Dillian Whyte inside a round.
A showdown between Joshua and Itauma appears unlikely given both men are trained by Ben Davison and whilst the Matchroom Chairman believes his charge would have no issue facing the 20-year-old, Hearn insists it would only make sense for a world title.
“I don’t really look at the Moses fight and think that’s a fight for AJ,” the 46-year-old told Sky Sports.
“There’s many reasons for that. One, what do you gain out if it?
“Moses is a very good fighter. If you win you’ve beat up a 20-year-old.
“If you lose you’ve lost to a 20-year-old and your career’s over.
“It’s a dangerous fight, I rate Moses very highly.
“AJ, his decision would be completely different.
“He would probably be bang up for fighting Moses.
“He’d find that exciting and if there was a chance to fight Moses for the world heavyweight title, we’d take it in a heartbeat.”
Joshua, 35, has been out of the ring since a devastating fifth round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September and his return was delayed due to elbow surgery.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion saw talks for a shock clash with Jake Paul collapse after ‘The Problem Child’ opted to face lightweight champion, Gervonta Davis on November 14 in Atlanta, in what is expected to be an exhibition.
Hearn revealed that the Watford man is now unlikely to return to action until 2026, whilst Itauma is set to fight on December 13 in Manchester, according to his promoter Frank Warren.
Warren revealed he would be open to matching the Kent man against Filip Hrgovic, provided the Croatian has recovered in time after sustaining a nasty cut in his victory over David Adeleye last month.
Itauma called out undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk following his win over Whyte and the 20-year-old, who is the number one contender to the Ukrainian’s WBO belt, will likely be keeping a close eye on the October 25 meeting between interim titlist, Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley.
