Opinion: Why the long past it Dillian Whyte is the perfect opponent for Moses Itauma

Our resident boxing insider Rob Tebbutt feels Dillian Whyte is the perfect big name opponent for Moses Itauma as the British heavyweight rivals seemingly edge closer to an August 16 showdown in the Middle East.

The so called 'future of the heavyweight division', Moses Itauma, has reportedly found his next opponent...

It appears as though the unbeaten 20-year-old sensation is edging closer to a blockbuster domestic dust-up with Dillian 'The Bodysnatcher' Whyte.

The bout, which is rumoured to be scheduled for August 16 in Saudi Arabia, is, in many ways, the perfect fight for Itauma to have next.

In Whyte, he'd be facing an opponent with name recognition and brand value in the United Kingdom, but also a fighter who has undoubtedly seen better years.

You only have to look at Whyte's last couple of performances - most notably his rock em', sock 'em heavyweight war with heavyweight journeyman Ebenezer Tetteh - to know that the Brixton man is a shell of the fighter he once was.

This fight would not only afford Queensberry star Itauma the opportunity to get a big name on his resume, but from a competitive stand point it should also be an easier bout than, for example, his recent outing with Demsey McKean.

In his day, Whyte was a physical powerhouse and somebody who was able to rough his opponents up, but that version of him is now long gone!

- Rob Tebbutt (bet365)

He has spoken of one final crack at that elusive world heavyweight title, but, sadly for him, this fight - if it does take place - will likely represent the end of that dream, and potentially prove to be his final boxing curtain call to boot.

I just cannot see any way in which Whyte will be able to live with the speed of Itauma.

He's far too quick, too slick and too powerful for a fighter who was at the peak of his powers a long time ago now, in 2018.

Fighting Dillian Whyte is a perfect step for Itauma to take as he continues on his journey towards the illustrious blue-riband division.

However, I also understand that a long-mooted fight with Albanian heavyweight Nelson Hysa could still take place before the rumoured Riyadh Season dust-up later this summer.

If that is the direction the young British star is going then a quick blow out victory over the eastern European, followed by the scalp of a bigger name opponent in Whyte would set him up perfectly for bigger fights and opportunities down the line.

Rob Tebbutt

• Queensberry
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