Dubois-Itauma could become a defining rivalry in British heavyweight boxing

Daniel Dubois and Moses Itauma could develop into a heavyweight rivalry for the future. At 29, Dubois is in a strong position after winning an intense first fight with Fabio Wardley to claim the WBO world title, then beating him again in a rematch to defend the belt. His two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk now feel a long way behind him.

Itauma, 21, has a setback to answer after losing to Filip Hrgovic, the first defeat of his professional career. The fight for the IBF world title had begun well for him: Itauma outboxed Hrgovic before tiring and coming apart. After absorbing punishment for eight rounds, Hrgovic stopped him in the ninth.

The potential matchup comes as British boxing enters a period of change. Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have dominated the sport in the UK through their personalities and talent over the last decade. They did not meet while both were reigning world champions, but are finally due to fight in December in Cardiff. That bout is being described as their swansong.

Both Dubois and Itauma are young for heavyweights and could take over at the top of the division in Britain, even if matching the fame enjoyed by Fury and Joshua looks difficult. There is also a key difference: they do not need to leave a fight between them until the later stages of their careers.

Dubois says he hopes Itauma can come back. Frank Warren, who promotes both fighters, believes defeat can help a boxer improve: “That’s what makes you a better fighter.” Warren also said Itauma would have a comeback fight in January, after which the various possibilities would be considered. He welcomed the position of British boxing and said work had gone into bringing the heavyweights together and making the fights happen.

Itauma now has questions to answer and a point to prove, as Dubois did after his first career defeat to Joe Joyce in 2020. Warren believes the loss will improve Itauma, while Dubois is backing him to return to the heavyweight title picture.