Moses Itauma Stops Dillian Whyte in One Round

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) announced himself as the next force in heavyweight boxing with a devastating first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte (31-4, 21 KOs) to retain his WBO Inter-Continental title.

Fighting in front of a raucous crowd, Itauma showcased speed, precision, and ruthless finishing ability far beyond his 20 years. Whyte entered in excellent shape and determined to spoil the party, but the veteran never got a chance to impose himself.

The Fight: Itauma’s Explosive Start

From the opening bell, Itauma’s speed advantage was obvious. He snapped Whyte’s head back with a sharp jab, then dug in with body shots that forced the former world title challenger onto the ropes.

Moments later, Itauma unleashed a fierce barrage — hooks and straight rights raining down on Whyte, who was badly shaken. A final overhand right sent Whyte crashing to the canvas.

The referee briefly considered stepping in earlier, but once Whyte hit the deck, there was no doubt. Whyte managed to get up, but the referee had seen enough.

Whyte’s Future in Doubt

For Dillian Whyte, the result is another painful setback. The 37-year-old had hoped to re-establish himself as a major contender, but instead suffered one of the quickest defeats of his career.

With four losses — all by knockout — to Anthony Joshua, Alexander Povetkin, Tyson Fury, and now Itauma, questions will be raised about whether Whyte continues in the sport.

Itauma: A Star in the Making

This victory cements Itauma’s status as one of boxing’s brightest young stars. At just 20, he’s already being hailed as a future world champion, and performances like this will only accelerate the calls for him to face top-10 opposition.

What makes Itauma so dangerous is not just his power, but the composure with which he sets up his attacks. The jab, body work, and controlled aggression he displayed against Whyte would not look out of place in a seasoned champion.

For the heavyweight division, a new contender has arrived — and the hype is justified.

What’s Next for Itauma?

After demolishing Whyte, the question is where Itauma goes from here. Some, like Tony Bellew, believe he could be ready for a world title opportunity if the belts splinter in 2025. Others urge patience, pointing to his youth and relative inexperience in long fights.

Either way, this win ensures Itauma will be a central figure in the heavyweight storylines of the next 12 months. The “new era” might already be here.