Moses Itauma set for January return after first professional defeat

Moses Itauma will return to the ring in January following the first defeat of his professional career, promoter Frank Warren has confirmed. BBC Sport reported that Warren expects to announce the British heavyweight's next fight within the coming weeks, with the 21-year-old still targeting a world championship in 2027.

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Itauma's unbeaten run ended in August when Filip Hrgovic stopped him in the ninth round to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title. The Chatham boxer had controlled the early stages before fading and being stopped by his more experienced Croatian opponent. He now has 14 victories from 15 professional contests, including 12 wins by knockout.

Warren said he and Itauma had held a constructive meeting after allowing time to reflect on the defeat. The promoter's account made clear that a comeback fight is the immediate step, while a title remains Itauma's ambition for next year. No opponent or exact date for the January return was identified in the BBC report, and Warren said further details would follow.

The update comes as Warren seeks to arrange heavyweight unification bouts in 2027. He promotes three of the division's four major champions: Hrgovic, WBC title-holder Agit Kabayel and WBO champion Daniel Dubois. Speaking to the 5 Live Boxing podcast, Warren also expressed a desire to involve Oleksandr Usyk again. The Ukrainian has vacated his world titles since becoming the four-belt era's first undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024.

Warren's proposed title picture nevertheless includes an unresolved question. He said the WBA's 'super' championship would be contested when Fury meets Anthony Joshua in Cardiff on 11 December. According to BBC Sport, the WBA had not publicly confirmed that arrangement and continued to list Murat Gassiev as its sole heavyweight world champion. Any change to Gassiev's status therefore remained conditional.

For Itauma, Warren's confirmation establishes a return month after the setback against Hrgovic, but does not amount to an announcement of another championship opportunity. His promoter described a fighter who wants to rejoin the title conversation, with the next bout's details still to be announced.