Moses Itauma could kick off an extraordinary 18-month run toward becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion when he faces Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF belt on August 29.
Itauma has quickly emerged as arguably heavyweight boxing’s most devastating puncher. While Deontay Wilder historically stakes a claim to that title, the former WBC champion hasn’t scored a knockout in three years. Itauma, meanwhile, continues to demolish opponents with the raw power that has drawn direct comparisons to George Foreman.
Jermaine Franklin felt that force firsthand in March, getting stopped inside five rounds. Having previously taken both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte the full distance, Franklin was systematically dismantled by the 21-year-old phenom.
Next up is Filip Hrgovic—and a shot at his first world title.
With a victory, Itauma would rewrite heavyweight history, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson and displacing Floyd Patterson as the second-youngest of all time.
Yet, claiming the IBF crown might just be the starting line.
Itauma’s Road to Wembley
If Itauma dispatches Hrgovic, all eyes turn to the autumn rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley.
Promoter Frank Warren makes no secret of his plan: pit Itauma against the winner at Wembley Stadium in spring 2027.
It’s the logical next step. Itauma would walk into Wembley as a world champion for a massive all-British unification bout, cementing his spot among the division’s elite and potentially turning the national stadium into his personal fortress.
Having already climbed to the top of the sanctioning bodies’ rankings during his meteoric rise, Itauma was previously named the WBA’s official mandatory challenger.
The pathways are clear. The only question is how fast he can walk them.
Undisputed in 18 Months?
Agit Kabayel stands as perhaps the ultimate roadblock.
Should the belts align, a three-belt unification showdown against Kabayel could be locked in by late 2027.
That would leave Itauma just one win shy of sweeping the division.
The remaining WBA strap would be the final piece of the puzzle, opening a door for Itauma to go from winning his first belt to becoming undisputed champion in roughly 18 months.
Naturally, many variables remain. Itauma must first get past Hrgovic, Dubois and Wardley have scores to settle, and heavyweight belts rarely stay put for long.
Yet, the blueprint is there.
Itauma has transformed from a terrifying prospect into a 21-year-old on the brink of world championship glory.
If he defeats Hrgovic on August 29, the narrative shifts overnight. The question will no longer be when boxing’s hardest puncher becomes a champion—it will be how fast he can take it all.
