Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte planned for August 16

Moses Itauma may step it up against Dillian Whyte in August.

Top heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma is close to a deal to face veteran Dillian Whyte in the main event of an August 16 card in Riyadh, Mike Coppinger reports for Ring Magazine.

Itauma (12-0, 10 KO) would be taking a potential big step up in competition at age 20, as Whyte (31-3, 21 KO) is, on paper, by far the biggest test of the prospect’s young career.

Promoter Frank Warren has proven willing to take these risks with young heavyweights in recent years, and notably has seen Daniel Dubois come through even after facing adversity, perhaps in part because he did face adversity early on.

There’s a lot of hype behind and belief in Itauma, and at 37, they may see Whyte as ripe for the picking. He’s fought just twice since a close 2022 win over Jermaine Franklin, beating Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh by stoppage last year.

The show may also potentially feature Anthony Cacace vs Raymond Ford and Nick Ball defending a featherweight title against Sam Goodman, which shapes up as a really solid effort for organizers on paper.

Itauma had been tentatively slated to return on the Usyk vs Dubois 2 card on July 19, having just fought on May 24 in a quick win over Mike Balogun. Whyte’s last fight came in December.