At last, a real test for Moses Itauma—at least on paper. Yes, there have been challenges before: Mariusz Wach, whom Itauma dismantled; Jack McKinney, stopped almost immediately; and solid gatekeepers like Kamil Sokolowski. But Dillian Whyte is a different level.

Whyte has spent years competing at the top—just shy of championship status for over a year, meeting the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Dereck Chisora, Alexander Povetkin, and Joseph Parker. He knows how to apply pressure, throw heavy shots, and stay composed under fire.

The big question is whether the Briton is still truly in form. Camp photos and footage show a well-prepared Whyte, but the ring will reveal the truth. Across from him is a 20-year-old with remarkable composure, stability, and focus. Itauma’s footwork is excellent, his shot selection intelligent, and his timing sharp—he has nearly everything required to beat Whyte.

There’s a 17-year gap—Whyte at 37, Itauma at 20—and the same gulf in experience. Whyte never claimed a world title, falling short in 2022 when Fury stopped him with an uppercut, but he’s seen far more than the young contender who is just entering serious waters.

Here, the disparity is stark: Whyte throws almost six times as many punches on average. But the context matters. Itauma rarely fights beyond two rounds—only once since 2023—stopping eight straight foes in the first or second.

Accuracy heavily favors Itauma: his jab connects at 27% versus 16% for Whyte, his power shots at 41% against Whyte’s still-strong 35%, and his overall accuracy is 32% to 24%. The caveat is opposition—so far, Itauma’s opponents have been easier to hit and quicker to fall. The question remains how he’ll handle a long, grueling 10-rounder.

With his pace, Itauma could fight monthly, yet he appeared only four times in 2024. This will be his second bout in 2025. Whyte, sidelined after the Fury loss and a doping issue, returned in 2024 for two fights; this is his first of the year.

Itauma can end a fight with one well-timed punch, though whether he possesses true elite knockout power is still untested. Whyte isn’t a one-punch knockout artist in the classic sense, but his shots drain opponents—breaking guards, lowering arms, and slowing them with thudding body shots.

Either man could hit the canvas. We’ve seen Whyte stopped several times, always by uppercuts—durable but not unbreakable. Itauma has never been dropped, but hasn’t yet faced a top-level pressure fighter who could test that.

In Riyadh, Itauma has been all knockouts—three total rounds in two fights: Wach fell in the second, McKinney in the first. Whyte is also familiar with Saudi Arabia, outpointing Wach there in 2019. This will be his second fight in the Kingdom.

Itauma has been praised heavily before even facing a true test, but his dominant wins are no accident—he’s created the conditions to make capable opponents look outclassed.

For Whyte, this is a late-career opportunity. A win could propel him into a big-money fight—perhaps a Joshua rematch. While not the favorite, his leaner, sharper look in camp adds intrigue.

This is an excellent trial for both. A win for Itauma won’t be dismissed as beating “just an old man.” He’s facing an experienced, well-prepared opponent who has had a strong camp. The result—win or lose—will be a serious statement to fans and analysts alike.