Frank Warren warned that 'future world champion' Moses Itauma could come unstuck against Martin Bakole

Frank Warren has recently hinted that his unbeaten heavyweight prospect could be paired up with Martin Bakole in the coming months, although boxing broadcaster Ade Oladipo feels that fight is fraught with danger for the Queensberry star.

The supremely-talented 20-year-old has attracted huge interest since making his professional boxing debut, winning all 11 of his bouts to date in eye-catching fashion, including a first round TKO win over Demsey McKean.

Warren is just one many to have backed Itauma to land world championship glory in the coming years, with some even debating whether he could break 'Iron' Mike Tyson's record of being the youngest blue-riband division title-holder of all-time.

However, the fighter himself has refused to get caught up in the hype, instead opting to keep himself firmly grounded as he plots a route to the top of the sport.

He will step inside the ropes for a 12th time this weekend when he tackles former NFL linebacker Mike Balogun on the undercard of Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman in Glasgow, with the fight expected to help fine tune preparations for a major step up in quality later in the year.

Queensberry's Warren, who promotes Itauma, has even gone on record to suggest that a clash with the dangerous Bakole could feature as part of his plans for his heavyweight talent.

However, despite succumbing to a heavy defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker - albeit on incredibly short notice - and subsequently drawing with Efe Ajagba, Oladipo has his concerns as to whether a clash with the giant African would be in the rookie's best interests.

"I'm going Bakole (when asked who would win the fight)," he said.

"Not in the condition he was in, but if he can get himself back down to 285lbs, then I'd back him.

There's a big jump from Demsey McKean to a fight with somebody who possesses the quality and power of Martin Bakole.

- Ade Oladipo (talkSPORT)

"I still rate Bakole, it is a big, big jump. Of course though, Moses is incredible."

Itauma has yet to fight this year despite Warren's claims in December that the heavyweight could feature in as many as four bouts during 2025.

A clash against a big name opponent was mooted for the spring, although that fell through, with Warren now tasking his charge with picking up the pieces in an unorthodox clash with former American Football star Balogun on Saturday night.

Whilst the Queensberry supremo acknowledges Itauma's opponent may well be underwhelming to many, he fully expects to see Itauma shift through the gears in the coming months.

"We've had a five month lay-off as something big didn't quite materialise in May," he said recently.

"It's not going to be all fireworks on the next one (against Balogun), but the aim of the game is to get him back in the swing of things ready for a couple of more outings before the end if July.

"We have huge plans with Moses of course, but it's our job to advise him best as to when the world title moment is."

Mark Mothershaw

• Queensberry
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