Moses Itauma has shot to the top of the WBO rankings after another destructive stoppage win in Glasgow on Saturday night.
The 20-year-old sensation decked former NFL linebacker Mike Balogun thrice en route to a second-round knockout win courtesy of a picture-perfect check right hook.
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In doing so, he retained his WBO Inter-Continental trinket and was rewarded with a No.1 spot in the major sanctioning body’s heavyweight rankings.
Taking to social media to confirm the news, WBO president Gustavo Olivieri wrote: “Moses has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances.
“Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching.
“It’s only a matter of time before he gets his shot & the world sees a new star emerge. #NewEra”
Itauma entered the fight ranked No.2 by the WBO, with the top spot left vacant following the removal of previous No.1 Justis Huni ahead of his upcoming WBA interim title fight with Fabio Wardley on June 7.
The decision was met with bewilderment from fans.
Despite Itauma’s clear promise, he hasn’t beaten anyone of note to be considered a legitimate No.1 contender.
In a perfect 12-0 start to his professional career, Itauma’s best win is a one-round blowout of unheralded Aussie Demsey McKean, whose crowning achievement is taking Filip Hrgovic 11 and a half rounds.
Regardless, Itauma isn’t next in line for a mandatory shot at the WBO belt.
That opportunity lies with WBO interim champion Joseph Parker, who recently stepped aside to allow Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois to square off for undisputed supremacy on July 19.
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The Kiwi will fight the winner of the four-belt shootout.
After which, the sanctioning body rotation system will have to make a full 360-degree turn before coming back around to Itauma.
The Chatham southpaw will likely have fought world-level opposition by then, with Martin Bakole and Hrgovic said to be in the running to share the ring with him next.
Bakole, who was recently held to a draw by Efe Ajagba, came on talkSPORT to discuss a possible matchup with Itauma over the weekend.
“Yeah, he did well tonight,” Bakole said after Itauma’s statement win on the Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman undercard.
“I know he has a big future ahead of him, but he has a long way to go.
WBO heavyweight rankings
C: Oleksandr Usyk
IC: Joseph Parker
- Moses Itauma
- Filip Hrgovic
- Zhilei Zhang
- Lawrence Okolie
- Jared Anderson
- Anthony Joshua
- Derek Chisora
- Murat Gassiev
- Vladiyslav Sirenko
- David Adeleye
- Nelson Hysa
- Efe Ajagba
- Johnny Fisher
- Otto Wallin
- Richard Torrez Jr.
“Having Martin Bakole’s name in his mouth is a big mistake.
“Even Frank Warren knows that I am not on his level to be honest.
“But I am looking forward to fighting for the world title, and if he wants to fight me, I don’t know what I would be fighting him for, but it is a good fight…
“I’m open to it (fighting Itauma). I’m so happy people are calling me out.
“I am going on 9 years in the UK, and no one was mentioning my name.
“But I am so glad and so proud of myself because today people are mentioning my name.
“They want to fight me. This is what I want, I want to fight.
“So if they want the fight, they will have to call BOXXER (Bakole’s promoters) and if everything is ok, then I will fight. My job is to fight.”
