Itauma’s Promoters Eye Bakole Fight: A Step Too Far, Too Soon?

Promoter Francis Warren says he’s “absolutely” interested in making a fight between heavyweight contender Martin Bakole and Moses Itauma. He says if the fight against Bakole (21-2-1, 16 KOs) comes along, he’ll “grab it with both hands” for Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs).

Thus far, Itauma’s promoters are showing interest in the 300+ lb Bakole, but will they be singing a different tune once he gets fit, trimming down to the low 280s? I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t want to know Bakole once he’s returned to looking like the lean tiger that crushed America’s #1 heavyweight, Jared Anderson, last August.

The Problem With Itauma’s Opponents

Itauma will fight a 10-rounder against Mike Balogun this Saturday, May 24th, at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. The event will be shown live on DAZN. Balogun (21-1, 16 KOs) is an ex-NFL player with limited experience and will be over his head against Itauma. This is another example of the kind of opposition that Itauma is being fed.

“He’s a tough guy. People have been giving a bit of criticism, but Balogun can bang,” said promoter Francis Warren to talkSport Boxing about Moses Itauma’s opponent, Mike Balogun, for Saturday. “He’s an athlete. He’s a former NFL player, so he’s a naturally gifted athlete, and he’s got a great engine on him. He’s got great scouts.”

Balogun is a complete unknown, and it’s troubling that Itauma is being matched against this kind of opposition. It wouldn’t be a big deal if he were invisible and not being hyped the way he is. But with the way the British public has talked about Itauma, you’d think he’s already captured a world title and defended it a half dozen times.

“The only person to beat him is Gassiev. He’s 21-1. You can only beat what’s in front of you. The guy that’s in front of him on Saturday night is the phenomenon, Moses Itauma. Yes, we all expect Moses Itauma to come through it, but how does he come through it? Does he take his time? Does he get rounds in the bank?” said Warren.

Gassiev knocked out Balogun in the second round in 2023. Since then, Balogun has fought just once, beating Lamont Capers (11-20-5) last year, and he’s now been out of the ring for 14 months. Surely, Itauma’s management could have found someone better than Balogun.

Why is Itauma fighting little-known fighters like Balogun instead of actual contenders? With the way he’s being hyped, he should have already been fighting contenders by this stage in his career, rather than the gawdawful opposition being fed to him.

Itauma should take his time to get rounds in because he’s knocked out five of his last seven opponents in the first round. The reason for that is the matchmaking. Moses, 20, is being matched against tomato cans, and he’s not being stepped up against better opposition. Eventually, when Itauma faces someone who has actual talent, he’s going to fall apart like his brother, Karol, did, when he fought his first halfway decent opponent.

Promoter Wants Bakole Fight

“Let’s do it. Absolutely,” said Francis when asked if he’d be interested in making the fight between Itauma and Martin Bakole. “Until the big guys come along, Moses is learning. If Hrgovic or Bakole present itself at some point this year, we’ll grab it with both hands, as long as we both agree that it’s the right fight for Moses at the time.”

If the Itauma vs. Bakole fight happens, Moses’ promoters could regret it. Itauma isn’t ready to fight even a 300-lb version of Bakole. First big shot from Bakole would likely pay Itauma out,  and finish his career, such as it is.

Bakole’s trainer, Billy Nelson, wants him to train before they’re ready to fight Itauma at the end of the year. By then, Bakole will likely have trimmed down to the mid-280s and will be in the same condition he was in when he destroyed Jared Anderson last August.

“Maybe he’s avoided because the fights are too difficult to make because Billy keeps tripping up all the time,” said Warren.

When Bakole is in shape, he’s dangerous for any heavyweight in the division. Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, two aging former champs, never showed any interest in fighting Bakole. They knew he’d mess up their careers if they made the mistake of agreeing to fight him. Instead, they both played it safe, fighting lesser guys and avoiding Bakole.