(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte Set for August 16 in Riyadh
The highly anticipated heavyweight clash between rising star Moses Itauma and veteran Dillian Whyte is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight will stream live on DAZN, with coverage beginning at 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time (5:45 p.m. BST).
About Moses Itauma
Moses Itauma, hailed as a future heavyweight contender, was named BoxingScene’s Prospect of the Year in 2024. The 20-year-old Slovakian-born fighter, now based in Kent, England, turned pro in January 2023. Known for his poise and skill far beyond his years, Itauma stands 6-foot-4 and weighs between 240 and 254 pounds. His record includes impressive wins over seasoned fighters like Demsey McKean and Mike Balogun, both stopped in quick fashion.
Currently, Itauma holds top rankings across major boxing organizations: No. 1 with the WBO, No. 2 with the WBA, No. 6 with the IBF, and No. 11 with the WBC. While he has yet to defeat a highly ranked opponent, this fight against Whyte marks an important step up.
About Dillian Whyte
Dillian Whyte, 37, is a former heavyweight title challenger with a 31-3 record, including 20 knockouts. His losses came against top-tier fighters Anthony Joshua, Alexander Povetkin, and Tyson Fury. Whyte is determined to avoid a fourth loss, especially one that would damage his standing in the division. Returning strong from a 16-month layoff, Whyte has won his last two bouts convincingly.
Undercard Highlights
The undercard features several notable matchups:
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Featherweight Title Fight: Nick Ball (22-0-1, 13 KOs) defends his WBA 126-pound belt against Sam Goodman (20-0, 8 KOs). Ball won the title from Goodman in 2022 and has successfully defended it twice since.
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Junior Lightweight Bout: Raymond Ford (17-1-1, 8 KOs) faces late replacement Abraham Nova (24-3-1, 17 KOs). Ford moved up to 130 pounds and has secured two recent wins.
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Heavyweight Showdown: Filip Hrgovic (18-1, 14 KOs) takes on David Adeleye (14-1, 13 KOs). Hrgovic bounced back from a cut-stoppage loss in 2024 with a victory over Joe Joyce. Adeleye has recorded two recent wins after a 2023 loss.
What to Expect
This card brings a mix of emerging talents and seasoned fighters, with the spotlight on the heavyweight clash between Itauma and Whyte. Boxing fans can look forward to exciting matchups and a chance to see a rising star tested against an established name.
