Dillian Whyte: Eyes a Statement Against Moses Itauma

London, UK - In a year already overflowing with heavyweight drama, few matchups have stirred such conflicted anticipation as the upcoming clash between Dillian Whyte and rising British prodigy Moses Itauma on August 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It’s a generational standoff. One fighter is a seasoned warrior who’s seen it all and bled for every inch of progress. The other is a slick, fast, undefeated southpaw barely out of his teens. Many expect the old lion to fall. But Dillian Whyte doesn’t see it that way.

He sees a test. A final charge. Maybe even a revival.

A Familiar Position, A Different Energy

Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs) has never taken the easy road. His career has been defined by wars—against Derek Chisora, Joseph Parker, and Anthony Joshua. He's been counted out before. And just like then, he shrugs off the predictions.

“They say I’m too old. That I’ve taken too many shots. That Moses is too fast. I’ve heard it all,” Whyte said in a recent behind-the-scenes interview. “But the thing about this game—experience still counts for something. You can’t fake that.”

He has a point.

Itauma, the 20-year-old sensation at 12–0 (10 KOs), has never gone beyond six rounds and has never faced a real dogfight. Whyte knows how to make a fight messy, how to walk an opponent down, how to punch with intent when the pressure’s rising and the crowd is roaring.

Shadows of the Past, Glimpses of What’s Left

In preparing for this fight, Whyte has revisited the archives—particularly his first battle with Chisora in 2016, when he was just shy of 30. Back then, he was a relentless, 240-pound steam engine: taking shots, giving more, and never touching the canvas.

That version of Whyte may be gone. But the 2025 edition still has tools. He’s visibly slimmed down, training with purpose, and, by all accounts, rediscovered the edge that once made him one of the sport’s most dangerous operators.

“Even if I’m not the man I was in 2016, I’m not 40 yet either,” Whyte told reporters. “I’ve been through hell. Now I’m walking back through the fire.”

Whyte's Real Concern? The Southpaw Problem

But one key stat quietly looms: Whyte has faced only one southpaw in his entire professional career—a Croatian journeyman stopped over a decade ago. That’s it. And Itauma, a fast, tricky southpaw with angles and energy, brings a style Whyte may struggle to time.

“He’s quick. He’s smart. He knows how to move,” Whyte said. “But can he take it when someone keeps coming? Can he fight inside? Can he handle real heat in the late rounds?”

It’s a fair question.

So far, Itauma’s opponents have been overmatched—fighters like Dempsey McKean and Mariusz Wach, who posed little resistance. They didn’t ask questions. Whyte plans to.

More Than a Fight — A Statement

This isn’t just another payday. Whyte, now 37, sees this as his last real chance to stay relevant at the top level. He’s turned down safer offers. He’s gone all in on risk.

“This kid could be the next big thing,” Whyte said. “But I’m still here. And if you want my spot, you’ve got to come take it.”

August 16 isn’t about belts. It’s about pride. Experience versus expectation. Violence versus finesse. And in that collision, Whyte believes he can make lightning strike once more.

Final Thoughts

Is Whyte the underdog? Yes.

Is his chin a question mark? Yes.

Is he completely out of this fight? Not even close.

There’s an edge to Whyte right now—an aura that’s not desperate, but dangerous. He’s not fighting to extend his career. He’s fighting to define how it ends.

And that makes him the most dangerous version of Dillian Whyte we’ve seen in years.