ANTHONY JOSHUA would fight Moses Itauma “in a heartbeat” – but under one condition.
Itauma is tipped for heavyweight greatness having dispatched of Dillian Whyte in one round of his last fight.
ReutersAnthony Joshua would fight Moses Itauma ‘in a heartbeat’[/caption]
GettyFrank Warren is struggling to find willing opponents to fight Itauma[/caption]
Finding opponents willing to risk their record, reputation and senses against the 20-year-old prodigy has proven perhaps Itauma’s greatest fight.
But AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn said the two-time champion would take on the hot prospect – but only if a world title was on the line.
Hearn told Sky Sports: “AJ, his decision would be completely different. He would probably be bang up for fighting Moses.
“He’d find that exciting and if there was a chance to fight Moses for the world heavyweight title, we’d take it in a heartbeat.”
Joshua has been somewhat of a mentor to Itauma as they share the same gym and coach in Ben Davison.
And for that reason, Itauma’s Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren doubts the pair will ever share the ring.
Warren admitted: “I’d do that (fight) tomorrow. It isn’t going to happen. First of all they’ve got the same trainer.”
And Hearn said: “I don’t really look at the Moses fight and think that’s a fight for AJ. There’s many reasons for that. One, what do you gain out if it?
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“Moses is a very good fighter. If you win you’ve beat up a 20-year-old. If you lose you’ve lost to a 20-year-old and your career’s over.
“It’s a dangerous fight, I rate Moses very highly.”
Joshua, 35, is yet to return since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 before having elbow surgery in the summer.
AJ was in shock talks to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
But Paul, 28, has since announced a November 14 exhibition with lightweight Gervonta Davis, 30, who is FIVE STONE lighter.
So Joshua is set for a warm-up return fight in early 2026 before targeting Tyson Fury, 37, who is teasing a comeback after retiring in January.
Itauma meanwhile is in line to fight again in December – and Hearn wants to see him stepped up and tested.
He said: “I think that Moses has a lot of work to do. He’s an extraordinary talent but we have no idea if he can tick the boxes that are required to be a true great and a true champion in the division.
“What’s his chin like? What’s it like when it gets really tough in the trenches?
“Now he could tick all those boxes, I’m not questioning those, but you’ve got to show them and we’ve seen it [go wrong] over the years time and time again.
“The reality is, Moses hasn’t fought anyone really yet. I want to see Moses against [Agit] Kabayel, against [Martin] Bakole, against Jarrell Miller.
“Someone who can stand up to him, take him four, five, six rounds and then ask some questions.
“Moses is going to be a world heavyweight champion… But I would take it a little bit slower.”
GettyJoshua with promoter Eddie Hearn[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
