Moses Itauma Targets Anthony Joshua

Fresh off his stoppage win over Jermaine Franklin, Moses Itauma has talked up a fight with Anthony Joshua.

Itauma became the first man to stop the durable Jermaine Franklin, needing just five rounds to secure a knockout at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena last weekend. When asked about a showdown with the two-time champion, Itauma was clinical: "If that’s a fight to make, that’s a fight to make."

By knocking out a man who went the distance with both Joshua and Dillian Whyte, Itauma has arguably earned a shot at AJ. Improving to 14-0 with 12 finishes, Itauma remains on track to potentially become the youngest British heavyweight champion in history.

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Will It Happen?

However, Joshua’s 2026 has been defined by tragedy outside the ring. Following a fatal car crash in early 2026 that claimed the lives of close friends, Joshua’s return to camp has been delayed. Promoter Eddie Hearn is currently targeting a late summer return (July or August) for the 36-year-old.

Despite years of failed negotiations, a Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua clash remains the ultimate priority. Fury is currently set to face Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, with AJ still finding an opponent. Warren has hailed Itauma as the "best heavyweight he’s worked with, bar none." While Warren is open to the Joshua fight, he is also plotting a direct path to a world title shot against Oleksandr Usyk later this year.

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The Approach

Tactically, the fight would be dictated by Southpaw vs. Orthodox. Itauma would aim to keep his lead foot on the outside of Joshua’s, creating an angle for his straight left hand. By establishing this positioning early, he could force Joshua into a defensive shell, much like he did in the third round against Franklin, before using his power shots. 

Itauma utilizes level-changing feints to the body that condition an opponent to drop their hands. Joshua, particularly in his 2025-2026 "Ben Davison era," has shown a tendency to over-react to body investment, which could leave him vulnerable to Itauma’s head-body-head combinations.

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Joshua, the tactical priority would be re-establishing his long-range dominance. Following a tumultuous start to 2026 marked by personal tragedy, Joshua’s path to victory relies on his superior reach and veteran experience. As Itauma attempts to close the distance, Joshua would need to catch him with a "check hook" or a straight right hand—similar to the shot he used to floor Francis Ngannou.

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