Anthony Joshua Wants to Give Moses Itauma ‘Time to Develop’

Frank Warren might have big plans Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), especially when it comes to future mega fights. But heavyweight superstar, Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs), has a word of advice for the promoter: give the young boxer enough time, or watch him burn out.

Talking on the latest episode of the Mr. Verzace podcast, Joshua delved into why Itauma should be given adequate time to develop his ring craft.

“Moses has that potential. You know, he’s a great young talent coming up. I think Moses will be ready in his own time. I think talent-wise, he’s very good, very promising. But give the guy some time to develop,” he said. “Once you cross over, there’s no turning back. You are marked, and not the one studying anymore. People are studying you, trust me.”

Joshua has publicly said he would welcome a future fight with Itauma. When asked recently, he said that after he gets through his scheduled bouts with Kristian Prenga and Tyson Fury, he’d be open to facing Itauma, describing it as “another opportunity” that he’d be willing to consider. However, the reason he wants Itauma to take his time is similar to what many in heavyweight boxing have been saying: the southpaw from Slovakia is only 21 and still developing, despite looking exceptional. While Joshua respects his talent, he sees no need to rush Itauma into every possible mega-fight immediately.

“Give him some time, let him develop. That’s my opinion, my manager hat on. What I like about Moses, when I look back at when I started, he has a lot more a lot more polished. Hitting with feints, up and down, and counter shots,” he said.

“People Want Your Soul”

Joshua was also sure to remind everyone that he had to take the rough road to superstardom, that isn’t a path that he wants Itauma to take. In his own words, once there’s a bullseye on your back, there is no turning back.

“When I first started, it was raw. You can see my progression as I’ve moved up the ranks. Moses is showing talent from day one. So, he has that. Now, it’s just the pressure. When that bullseye is on your back, people want your soul. They talk about your characteristics, what you wear. That’s a whole different kind of pressure in the heavyweight division,” he said.

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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