Matchroom heavyweight sensation Teremoana Teremoana open to Moses Itauma showdown

Australian power-puncher Teremoana Teremoana has revealed he is open to a blockbuster dust-up with up and coming British star Moses Itauma, vowing to beat any heavyweight Eddie Hearn opts to put in front of him.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise since agreeing a multi-fight deal with the British promoter last year, showcasing his credentials by reeling off five successive first round knockouts whilst flying the Matchroom banner.

Teremoana's latest highlight reel stoppage came on his grandest stage to date - at New York City's iconic Madison Square Garden this past weekend - where he forced the previously unbeaten Aleem Whitfield into submission just two minutes into their scheduled 12 round contest.

Hearn subsequently predicted the Australian would follow in the footsteps of Anthony Joshua by establishing himself as a world champion in the next couple of years, with Teremoana himself noting his own world title ambitions following his triumph.

Comparisons have naturally been drawn with unbeaten Briton Moses Itauma, who is gearing up for his biggest test to date against former world title challenger Dillian Whyte later this year.

But whilst Teremoana Jr says he first has some unfinished business to attend to Down Under, he has seemingly cracked the door ajar for a potential clash with the unbeaten Queensberry contender in the future.

"I love that fight" he told iFL TV after being quizzed on whether he would contemplate a clash with the 20-year-old.

He and other people say he is the best and I am standing here now saying I am the best. Talk to my manager, he will put people in front of me.

- Teremoana Teremoana (iFL TV)

"You know this is only my fourth fight back in the pro's and I don't know how many he has as I don't really follow him. I know he is decent, but I am decent too...

"Look, I want to fight everyone, but even starting back at home, I wouldn't mind having the Australian titles!

"So Stevan Ivic and even Troy Pilcher - anyone of calibre back home - if you wanna have a go then we can put it on a Matchroom show, get a lot of people there and we can have a run for our money, as they say."

Australian boxing is currently blooming with a plethora of fighters establishing themselves at the summit of the sport over the past few years, including IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia and former world titleholders such as Tim Tszyu, George Kambosos, and Skye Nicolson.

Teremoana harbours clear ambitions of adding his name to that illustrious roll of honour, even if he was contemplating a somewhat different career path in the not too distant past.

"I used to play rugby when I was younger and I always had a dream of playing for the Blues, but things happen in life and pathways change," he added.

"I got into boxing when I was younger and then I left boxing when I was 19, but then turned 21 and started using my grandfather's name, which is my first name, Teremoana.

"I thought to myself what is the hardest thing to achieve in life, and I thought becoming a boxing world champion would be tough, so I decided to come back and go on and fulfill that dream.

"I want to be able to show people, my family, that if I can do it then anyone can do it - whatever you set your mind too, you can do it, that's what I want to prove to people.

"I believe I have the mindset, I have the drive and I feel I have the attributes to be the best in the world - I'm a warrior and I will get there."

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
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