Dillian Whyte is set to face Moses Itauma on August 16th in what may be the toughest fight of his career.
Dillian Whyte has shared the ring with many household heavyweight names, including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora, Joseph Parker, and Alexander Povetkin.
But now, in the twilight of his career, Whyte is facing a foe younger than his own child, as he steps up against rising prospect Moses Itauma.
Itauma stopped Mike Balogun last time out, and blitzed Demsey McKean one fight earlier, doing what took Filip Hrgovic 12 rounds in just one.
Years before this fight, though, Whyte stopped boxing’s most durable journeyman back in 2014, a man who would pose prospects an incredibly tough challenge even at the end of his career.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesDillian Whyte handed Kamil Sokolowski his first loss
In 2014, in his 12th fight, Whyte faced 1-0 Kamil Sokolowski. Though the records would indicate a mismatch, Sokolowski was a game opponent while the fight lasted, though it did not last long.
In the third round Whyte dropped Sokolowski. The Pole recovered and got back to his feet, but a brutal flurry that ended with a stinging left hook sent him down once more.
Sokolowski would return to his feet, but was deemed unfit to continue by the referee.
Sokolowski, 1-1 after the Whyte loss, lost six of his next seven fights, drawing in the other. The only name of note in that period was Nathan Gorman who Daniel Dubois beat for the British title.
In 2017, however, Sokolowski, 4-10-2, proved his durability as he carried Martin Bakole six rounds.
In 2019, Sokolowski dropped Lucas Browne and was one point away from winning against the Aussie.
In the years that followed, Sokolowski faced Solomon Dacres, Vladyslav Sirenko, Zhan Kossobutskiy, Otto Wallin, Bakhodir Jalolov, Frazer Clarke, and David Adeleye.
Many believe Adeleye lost to Sokolowski, as he scraped a razor-close points win.
Sokolowski also defeated George Fox, the son of Daniel Dubois‘ trainer, Don Charles.
Boxers predict Dillian Whyte vs Moses Itauma
As Whyte’s career winds down after periods of inactivity, multiple fight withdrawals, a failed PED test, and a series of lackluster opponents, it’s no surprise Itauma is the favorite to win, and it seems most of the boxing world agree.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Lawrence Okolie thinks Itauma will KO Whyte, whilst Whyte’s former foe, Dave Allen, believes Itauma is all wrong for ‘The Bodysnatcher’.
Whyte’s former coach, Mark Tibbs, believes Itauma will beat Whyte too, and it seems the Jamaican-born Londoner is being discounted by the masses.
That said, Whyte’s recent weight loss has many believing he will truly turn up to fight.