Rising British heavyweight star Moses Itauma, undefeated at 12-0, will take on seasoned contender Dillian Whyte in a high-stakes clash on August 16, marking a significant test for the 20-year-old prodigy.
The bout, set to electrify fans in Riyadh, pits the young Kent-based fighter against the battle-hardened Whyte, a former world-title challenger with a 31-3 professional record. This showdown promises to be a defining moment for Itauma, who has been touted as a future heavyweight king.
Itauma, originally born in Slovakia and raised in Chatham, Kent since age three, has long been a standout in British boxing.
A powerful southpaw known for his sharp movement and devastating knockouts—10 of his 12 opponents have been stopped—he caught the eye of promoter Frank Warren after sparring with former world champion Lawrence Okolie at just 16.
Previously tipped to eclipse Mike Tyson’s record as the youngest heavyweight champion, Itauma’s latest victory came in May, a two-round demolition of Mike Balogun. Facing Whyte, a 37-year-old veteran who has shared the ring with the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, represents his toughest challenge yet.
Whyte, a grizzled contender, has faced setbacks in recent years, including a canceled 2023 rematch with Joshua due to a failed drug test, which he claimed was cleared after protesting his innocence.
Returning to the ring in March 2024, Whyte secured stoppage wins over Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh but appeared below his peak form. This fight offers him a chance to reclaim momentum against a hungry young star.
The Riyadh card is stacked with talent. In the co-main event, Liverpool’s WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball, 28, defends his title against Australia’s Sam Goodman.
Elsewhere, former super-featherweight champion Anthony Cacace, 36, faces American Raymond Ford, while British heavyweight David Adeleye, 28, takes on Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic.