Five heavyweights who could derail Moses Itauma's world title charge

We take a look at five heavyweights who could seriously challenge Moses Itauma's quest to become king of boxing's blue-riband division.

The Queensberry star has, quite rightly, been hailed for his considerable talent and world-class potential, with many anointing him as the next heavyweight ruler after Oleksandr Usyk hangs up the gloves.

But while this prediction could quite easily become a reality, there are equally several other fighters in their 20s who would firmly reject such claims.

Before anything else, Itauma must first take care of business against Jermaine Franklin, a durable customer, at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on March 28.

After that, the legitimacy of his generally-accepted status as a world champion in waiting - and the threat of his potential rivals - should become much clearer.

Richard Torrez Jr

While Itauma’s performances have generated more hype, it must be said that Richard Torrez Jr has faced the better quality of opposition.

His unanimous decision victory over Guido Vianello, for instance, is perhaps more impressive than all of Itauma’s stoppages combined.

Additionally, the 26-year-old competed at a higher level in the amateur ranks, as evidenced by his silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and seemingly has the talent and charisma to become America’s next heavyweight star.

Like Itauma, Torrez is a dynamic southpaw who boasts a strong skillset, but potentially lacks the size and power to prevail at the elite level.

Teremoana Teremoana

So good that they had to name him twice, Teremoana Teremoana has shown genuine signs of world-class quality, albeit against a string of glaringly limited opponents.

Like Torrez, the Australian’s Olympic pedigree makes him a particularly exciting prospect, even after losing to eventual gold medallist Bakhodir Jalolov at the Paris Games.

Not an awful lot can be gleaned from his professional performances just yet, but his power could certainly see him develop into a formidable contender.

Daniel Dubois

While Daniel Dubois is already an established former world champion, he could still represent a dangerous opponent for Itauma in the next few years.

At 28 years old, the Londoner could even become a more improved version of his current self, benefitting from a greater level of experience while retaining his concussive knockout power.

Dubois must first get past Fabio Wardley, who he will face on March 9, but if he becomes a two-time world champion then surely all roads would lead towards a collision with Itauma.

Leo Atang

It is too early to say, at least with any real certainty, whether Leo Atang will reach a level that allows him to challenge Itauma’s expected supremacy.

So far, the 19-year-old has amassed just five victories, all inside the distance, but there is a sense that he could develop into an explosive, well-schooled heavyweight.

Itauma, of course, is several steps ahead of him, but if Atang manages to narrow that gap in the next four or five years, then we could eventually see them square off in a monumental domestic dust-up.

Dainier Pero

Dainier Pero has silently crafted a 13-0 (10 KOs) record, mostly against little-known opposition, since losing to Torrez at the Tokyo Olympics.

His most striking test came against Cesar Navarro, who scored two heavy knockdowns during their encounter last May, but Pero showed tremendous character to overcome that torrid third round and emerge with a unanimous decision victory.

Such grit could see him absorb a great deal of punishment if he ever shares the ring with Itauma, with the 26-year-old Cuban steadily climbing the world rankings.