Unbeaten heavyweight is open to facing Itauma.
If you happen to be a heavyweight boxer, you also happen to be walking around the same domain as one man in particular, a man who gives everyone pause and makes their eyes widen, even if it is ever so slightly.
If you are an older heavyweight and are nearing the end of your career, you can breathe a sigh of relief, for you have likely managed to avoid him. In other words, you are safe.
If, however, you happen to be a younger heavyweight who is good enough to be considered a potential opponent for this man, there are to be no sighs of relief for you. Rather, your head is likely to unscrew from looking behind you so much.
In other words, you are not safe.
This man is Moses Itauma, and he has caused the knees of the very division itself to shake in terror. As he has improved, he has parted the heavyweight populace in two like his biblical namesake did to the Red Sea, clearing an uninterrupted path for himself straight to a throne with his name on it.
Such is the expectation thrust upon his broad shoulders, at least. Whether he lives up to such lofty projections or not, it must be said that it looks for all the world that he may just fulfil them.
Not many are directly calling Itauma out, and why would they? In the words of commentator Ronald McIntosh, you may as well sign up to face a firing squad at dawn.
But one fighter has now added himself to the few who have entertained a bout with Itauma, and he is a 6’7″ Uzbekistani who won a gold medal in the Olympics on two occasions.
Bakhodir Jalolov is undefeated in 16 professional fights (14 wins coming by way of knockout), and he will look to go unbeaten in 17 with 15 by knockout when he faces Agron Smakici on the undercard of the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois championship event this Saturday.
But while taking the time to conduct an interview with Boxing News ahead of his imminent ring appearance, Jalolov was asked if he would like to face Itauma at some point.
“Very talented guy. Definitely, you know, one of the biggest prospects in the heavyweight boxing right now”, said Jalolov through a translator. “You know, I believe if I continue boxing in the United Kingdom to make some fans’ background, we will face each other in maybe next two years probably.”
Amongst his many amateur victories, Jalolov scored triumphs over Richard Torrez Jr. and Teremoana Teremoana, two up-and-comers who are making waves amongst the heavyweights professionally.
Whether he can do something similar in the paid ranks or not will depend on if Jalolov’s ability remains consistent across both sides of the sport.
He will go one step closer to proving it does in two days’ time.
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