‘Not happening’ – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit’s latest brutal KO
MOSES ITAUMA has had a major step up in competition ruled out as his next opponent.
The Chatam clubber continued his surge up the heavyweight ranks in Glasgow on Saturday night with a blistering second-round KO of Mike Balogun.
Itauma dropped the American three times as he stretched his perfect record to 12-0, with ten of those wins coming via knockout.
Boxing fans are keen for the 20-year-old to take a step up in calibre of opponent, with Congolese-born Scot Martin Bakole being touted as an ideal opponent.
But Itauma promoter Frank Warren insists Bakole, who was blown out of the water in his short-notice showdown with Joseph Parker in February, isn’t in the running to face the prospect.
When asked if the 31-year-old could face Itauma next, Warren told Queensberry Promotion’s YouTube channel: “No!
“Bakole’s got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening.”
Bakole was ringside for Itauma’s battering of Balogun and had some choice words for the slick southpaw.
He said: “Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career.
“But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him.
“I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow.
“But I don’t want him to pick me now because he’d be making a big mistake.
“He’s playing with the fire. [But] he’s a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I’m open to it.”
Itauma said of his latest demolition job: “I appreciate Mike Balogun, he is one tough cookie.
“I couldn’t believe he got up from the second one.
“Thanks to Mike Balogun for taking the fight, because nobody else would.
“I don’t have to worry about doing rounds, but my team wants to see me in a 10-rounder.
“And then I want in with the big dogs.”