
‘He's miles off' – Brit heavyweight ace tipped for stardom ‘shouldn't be in conversation' for world titles, says rival
RISING British boxing star Moses Itauma has been warned against taking on world titles fights at this stage of his career.
Heavyweight rival Dave Allen reckons the 20-year-old has the talent, but lacks the necessary experience to challenge a world champion.
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Itauma 's professional record stands at 12-0 with his most recent win against Mike Balogun in the WBO Inter-Continental bout in Glasgow.
The Slovak-born Brit dropped his American opponent Bologun, 41, three times in two rounds, before ending it with a TKO.
And WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Dave Allen has given his opinion on the breakthrough star.
Allen told talkSPORT: 'I think he's the real deal, but to go from the opposition he is facing to a Joseph Parker would be irresponsible matchmaking.
'People are talking about Itauma boxing for a world title soon, he is miles off it right now."
'He can beat anyone in two or three rounds at the moment. But we haven't seen him go past that yet.
'I think he's an incredible prospect, but that's all he is still."
The rising heavyweight star turned professional two years ago and already has 10 KOs on his record.
Allen recognised Itauma's talent, but believes he should take a more calculated root to a shot at a world title.
He added: 'We haven't even seen him box for a British title yet. Demsey McKean is British title level, he shouldn't be in that conversation for Joseph Parker yet.
'Not for talent, offensively he is already one of the best heavyweights in the world. But he hasn't been hit back and hasn't been hit under pressure."
Allen named Anthony Joshua's rival Jermaine Franklin as the perfect opponent to take him past the first rounds.
The 33-year-old said: 'We need to see him in with someone who gives him a fight, I think someone like Jermaine Franklin.
'I think he can become world champion, but talk of titles right now is just too much, he's miles off."
Itauma, who is Frank Warren's fighter, was initially tipped as the teenager to break Mike Tyson's youngest world champion record at the age of 20 years and four months.
He will likely return on July 19 on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk's rematch with Daniel Dubois.
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