Itauma (21) is the WBO mandatory challenger for Dubois’ newly-injured belt and has quickly moved beyond prospect status following his recent string of knockouts. Dubois’ win over Fabio Wardley last Saturday only pushed the heavyweight division closer to a future clash between the two.
“At some point they will be,” Warren said Sky Sports about Dubois and Itauma possibly fighting. “A massive, massive, massive fight.”
The timing is the issue. Wardley has a rematch clause in his contract and could force a second fight with Dubois despite the punishment he absorbed in the loss. Warren confirmed the clause remains active, although he suggested any rematch would likely wait until late 2026 or even 2027 because both heavyweights came out of the fight battered.
That delay could make Itauma wait, even though he is already in position for a title shot.
The bigger story is that Warren seems to see Dubois-Itauma as inevitable. Dubois is only 28 and now holds the WBO belt. Itauma is 21 and rising faster than any heavyweight in Britain. Both are attached to Warren, both carry knockout power, and both move to the same piece of territory. He even hinted at the commercial scope of the fight.
“My worry is they’ll fill two Wembleys,” Warren said.
That comment stood out because it suggested that Warren already sees Itauma as a big attraction at the stadium level before he fights for a world title. A year ago, Itauma was still discussed as a long-term project. Now he is being positioned as the future challenger for a newly crowned heavyweight champion.
Wardley’s team complained afterwards about Dubois’ rough tactics and the referee’s handling of the fight, but Warren dismissed the criticism, instead pointing to Dubois’ jab and footwork as the difference.
Fabio Wardley has the contractual right to return it. Moses Itauma may be the fight people remember waiting for.
