Moses Itauma’s January return needs an opponent who can test the weaknesses Filip Hrgovic exposed. David Adeleye, Guido Vianello or Frank Sanchez would be more worthwhile choices than another overmatched opponent who disappears before Itauma has to work.
Frank Warren confirmed the comeback plans, although he did not name an opponent.
“We told him to just have a little bit of a break and then, as I say, we’ll get back into it in January 2027,” Warren said to talkSPORT.
Choosing the opponent is the difficult part. Itauma needs to rebuild after his first defeat, but returning him to the soft opposition that helped build his record would leave the same questions unanswered.
Hrgovic exposed problems with his stamina, pacing, and composure under fire. Itauma looked uncomfortable taking punches and fought at an output he couldn’t sustain. Once he tired, he was left relying on his toughness.
“His work rate was tremendous for eight rounds. I mean, he just did not stop throwing punches,” Warren said.
“He showed, even though he ran out of gas, he showed he’s got a big heart, and he showed he’s got a good chin. He took some big shots.”
That chin is an asset, but Itauma needs to learn how to respond to getting hit without burning through his energy. Better conditioning would help. So would staying calm, choosing his attacks, and accepting that every round doesn’t need to end with his opponent on the floor.
Adeleye or Vianello would be interesting choices because either could give Itauma more to deal with than a routine comeback opponent. They would enter with their own ambitions, giving him a reason to respect what comes back after he attacks.
Sanchez would be the more ambitious option. His boxing ability could force Itauma to show patience and create openings rather than rely on constant pressure. His expected IBF title opportunity could complicate that suggestion, however. These are proposed opponents, not names Warren has announced.
Putting the 21-year-old straight back against a leading heavyweight could be asking too much. Matching him with a lesser British fighter or a faded veteran risks producing another quick knockout that teaches him little.
Itauma is staying with Ben Davison. Their work needs an opponent capable of testing it. January should show whether he can remain composed and effective when someone survives his power and punches back.
