The 21-year-old extended his unbeaten record to 14-0, including 12 knockouts, with an emphatic stoppage victory over Jermaine Franklin in March. The win marked the first time Franklin had been stopped, having previously gone the distance with top heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. Following that performance, the World Boxing Organization elevated Itauma to mandatory challenger status for its heavyweight title.
Attention in the division now shifts to May 9, when WBO champion Fabio Wardley is set to defend his title against Daniel Dubois. Itauma acknowledged the potential implications of that clash, noting that a Dubois victory could open a more straightforward path to a future matchup.
Both Wardley and Dubois were in attendance for Itauma’s latest win, with the young contender suggesting his performance may have registered with the division’s elite. While he stopped short of claiming concern from his rivals, he hinted that his presence is increasingly being felt among top-tier heavyweights.
Despite holding mandatory challenger status, Itauma is not expected to face the Wardley-Dubois winner immediately. The victor of that bout is widely anticipated to pursue a higher-profile unification opportunity against reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk.
In the meantime, Itauma’s July outing is likely to serve as a crucial stepping stone. A victory over a higher-ranked opponent could further strengthen his case for a world title shot. Among the names linked to the event is British cruiserweight standout Richard Riakporhe, who holds a 20-1 record with 16 knockouts and has secured three consecutive early stoppage wins since his lone defeat to Chris Billam-Smith.
With the heavyweight division entering a pivotal stretch, Itauma’s next appearance could play a key role in shaping the immediate future of the title race.