Dillian Whyte has sent a warning to Moses Itauma ahead of their upcoming heavyweight showdown.
Whyte takes on top prospect Itauma on August 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Despite his vast experience over the 20-year-old, ‘The Body Snatcher’ is at least a 5/1 underdog to defeat Itauma next Saturday.
Whyte has fought just three times in almost three years, bouncing back with three wins after being stopped by Tyson Fury in six rounds in April 2022 in a bid for the WBC world title.
The 37-year-old has warned his rival that he could be stepping up slightly too early having never faced anyone of his calibre previously.
“He’s a great fighter,” Whyte told IFLTV.
“He’s achieved a lot already.
“He’s doing his thing, he’s good.
“He’s doing what he’s supposed to do.
“He’s beating the guys up that he’s supposed to beat up and doing everything that’s asked of him, but sometimes you f*** around and find out.”
Itauma has raced to 12 straight professional victories, recording 10 knockouts, his last victory a second round stoppage over American Mike Balogun in May.
The Slovakian-born Brit is the number one contender with the WBO to undisputed champion, Oleskandr Usyk’s crown.
The WBO has ordered the Ukrainian to defend his title against interim titlist, Joseph Parker and gave both sides 30 days from July 24 to agree a deal before purse bids are called.
Frank Warren, who promotes both Itauma and Parker as well as Whyte, says the decision to put Itauma in for a maiden world title shot is dependent on how he looks against the Brixton man.
“If the fight doesn’t take place between Oleskandr Usyk and Joe Parker,” Warren told talkSPORT.
“Then they will order the next available contender and the next available contender is in the ratings Moses.
“But whether it will be him, if all these things did happen, depends on the outcome of that fight.
“It depends how he looks in the fight.”
