An unbeaten American heavyweight has called for a fight with British sensation Moses Itauma.
The 20-year-old Itauma picked up the biggest win of his career when he stopped Dillian Whyte inside a round last month.
He is closing in on a world title shot already and Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has publicly stated that he would like to see Itauma take on undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
But Richard Torrez Jr, 13-0 (11KOs), who is regarded as one of America’s biggest rising stars in boxing’s blue-riband division, wants to face Itauma first and believes he would derail the Brit’s plans for heavyweight domination.
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“He’s an amazing fighter, and I think that he’s really shown his stuff, especially against Dillian Whyte,” Torrez told BoxingScene. “It was an incredible performance. So I’m really happy for him. And I think that he’s a great guy.
“But with that being said, I’m 100 per cent confident in my abilities as a fighter as well. I would love to get in the ring [with him]. I think that we’d have some really great fights if one of us jumped across the pond.”
Torrez won a silver medal at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and has climbed the rankings quickly since turning professional.
But he has never fought outside the US. He is keen for that to change in the near future as he wants to test himself in the UK, and he has other Brits on his radar as well as Itauma.
“Man, I’m telling you, I want a UK fight,” Torrez said. “Wardley, Itauma, even Johnny Fisher. The only guy I’m not calling out is Frazer Clarke, that’s just because he’s my Olympic brother and I appreciate him, and I love the guy.
“But anyone who wants to fight, I’m more than willing to fight. I really think some of these fights will be huge fights, especially in the UK. Your fans are amazing. It’s incredible coming over here.”
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Fabio Wardley is currently tied up as he will be facing Joseph Parker on October 25, live on DAZN, with the winner putting themselves in pole position to face Usyk next.
Itauma and Fisher are both still searching for their next opponents, though. Itauma is expected to return in December as he gears up for a potential title shot in 2026.
Fisher has been away from the ring since being knocked out by Dave Allen in their rematch in May. He switched training teams after the loss and is due to step back between the ropes in the coming months.
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