Former world champion David Haye has boldly claimed that rising British-Nigerian heavyweight Moses Itauma would defeat Anthony Joshua if the two ever met in the ring.
Despite the vast difference in experience, Haye backed the 20-year-old prodigy to overcome the 36-year-old two-time unified world champion.
Joshua, a former Olympic gold medallist, boasts 13 world title fights, while Itauma; a professional for less than three years, has fought 13 times without yet contesting for a major title. Still, many fans and experts see him as a future heavyweight ruler.
Speaking in an interview with iFL TV, Haye, known as “The Hayemaker,” said confidently:
“Yeah (Itauma beats him), I think he beats everybody. The only person I’d say who has the best chance of it is Usyk.”
Haye, who rose to fame after dominating the cruiserweight division before capturing the WBA heavyweight title, said Itauma reminds him of himself during his prime — a young fighter with speed, power, and confidence.
Itauma is scheduled to return to the ring on January 24 in Manchester against Jermaine Franklin, the American who went 12 rounds with Joshua three months after Itauma made his professional debut.
Meanwhile, Joshua’s future remains uncertain, with speculation growing over whether his 14-month absence from the ring will end later this year or in early 2026.
A Joshua–Itauma bout appears unlikely for now, as reports link Joshua to a potential blockbuster fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who is seeking a new opponent following the cancellation of his planned clash with Gervonta Davis.
