Moses Itauma-Daniel Dubois fight called inevitable after August bout

A future fight between Moses Itauma and fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois is being described as inevitable, provided both men come through their next assignments. Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on August 29 for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

The IBF belt is one of three titles relinquished by Oleksandr Usyk in June. Victory would make Itauma the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson defeated Trevor Berbick in 1986, placing the 20-year-old in line for a major domestic showdown with Dubois.

Dubois’ head coach Don Charles said his fighter’s immediate priority is a proposed rematch with Fabio Wardley. Dubois must first retain the WBO heavyweight title in that contest before the two British knockout specialists can move towards a meeting with Itauma.

The timing also depends on Itauma’s mandatory obligation. The winner of the Hrgovic fight is due to make an immediate defence against Frank Sanchez, who has accepted financial compensation to wait for his title opportunity. Itauma could therefore face two top-10 heavyweights in his next two bouts.

Hrgovic represents the toughest test of Itauma’s career so far. The Croatian was stopped by Dubois in the eighth round of their 2024 fight after the bout was halted because of cuts, although he had produced a determined performance before the stoppage.

Dubois won the WBO championship by stopping Wardley in the 11th round in May. That victory made him a two-time world champion, following his earlier reign as IBF title-holder. Both Dubois and Itauma are signed with Frank Warren, adding a practical route to the all-British heavyweight fight if their respective schedules remain on course.