Moses Itauma will be back in the ring before the end of the year.
Itauma breezed past his biggest step-up to date, destroying former heavyweight world title challenger Dillian Whyte in the opening round in Riyadh last week.
The 20-year-old is is the number one contender to undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO title, although the Ukrainian has been ordered to defend his crown against interim titlist, Joseph Parker.
Itauma’s manager, Francis Warren says his charge will not turn down a potential world title shot, but has named the likes of Filip Hrgovic, Michael Hunter and WBA ‘regular’ titlist, Kubrat Pulev as alternative options, as he plots for the Brit to return in December.
“As he said on Saturday, if he gets the knock for a world title, he’ll open the door,” Warren told talkSPORT.
“And I don’t doubt that he’ll want to do that.
“Maybe not next, but within the next 12 months certainly.
“I do love the Hrgovic fight. I think that’s a good fight for Moses to make that next step-up onto that world level.
“Filip’s been there and done it.
“But there’s some other names out there.
“[Agit] Kabayel has been mentioned a few times.
“Michael Hunter, Jared Anderson and you’ve also got Pulev within the WBA, who holds a version of the world title.
“He’ll fight in December again this year.”
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Usyk has requested an extension from the WBO for negotiations to face Parker after suffering an injury and proboxing-fans.com understands the governing body are considering the request.
Itauma secured his 13th straight professional victory in Riyadh and admitted he’d relish the opportunity to face the two-weight world champion, despite conceding that Parker and Kabayel probably deserve the fight more than him.
“If I’m being completely honest Joseph Parker and [WBC interim champion Agit] Kabayel do deserve the shot [against Usyk],” he told DAZN.
“But I’d love to take that opportunity as well.
“Chuck me in there with that lot.”
