Joshua urges patience with Itauma as heavyweight spotlight grows

Anthony Joshua believes Moses Itauma has the tools to rule the heavyweight division but says the 21-year-old needs time before stepping into title fights.

Itauma knocked out Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin in his last two bouts and sits at No. 6 in The Ring's rankings, with top-five placement across all four major sanctioning bodies. The southpaw slugger holds 14 wins with 12 stoppages, but Joshua told The Ring's Rick Reeno on the Mr. Verzace Podcast that rushing the young prospect carries risks.

Joshua's warning on heavyweight championship pressure

"Moses has that potential. You know, he's a great young talent coming up," Joshua said, per The Ring. "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, because let me tell you this: Yeah, I became champion in my 16th fight. 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 captured a heavyweight title in his 16th pro fight at age 26 after winning Olympic gold in London. He noted that Itauma looks more polished early in his career than Joshua did himself, showing feints and counter shots from the start. Still, the British star warned that championship-level scrutiny brings pressure beyond what happens inside the ropes.

"When that bullseye is on your back, people want your soul. They talk about your characteristics, what you wear," Joshua added. "That's a whole different kind of pressure in the heavyweight division, and we want to see how you deal with that."

Joshua faces Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on DAZN pay-per-view. The 36-year-old confirmed he plans to fight until age 40 and named Itauma among the opponents he wants before retirement, alongside Tyson Fury, Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley, and Deontay Wilder.

Source: ringmagazine.com