Turki Alalshikh recommends next opponent for Moses Itauma

Turki Alalshikh suggests a future foe for Moses Itauma

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has told Ring Magazine who he suggests Moses Itauma (12-0, 10 KOs) should fight next, providing he gets through his tough test against Dillian Whyte on August 16 .

The 43-year-old Saudi Arabian said, "I think this is the right time to have tests like this. I don't like the fighters keep reaching 20-25 fights without fighting real fights.

"We will have for him something as a proposal in November, something like [Martin] Bakole or something like this, and, from there, let's see."

Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole (21-2-1, 16 KOs) was a very avoided fighter until recently, after a couple of performances that have decreased his standings in the heavyweight division.

He was brave enough to step in with just a few days notice to replace Daniel Dubois, who had unfortunately fallen ill just days before his IBF world title defence to Joseph Parker in February.

The 33-year-old African, trained by Billy Nelson, was felled early in round two after being dropped by a big right hook to the head.

Then, his last fight didn't go according to plan either, when he was fortunate to escape with a draw against Nigerian Efe Ajagba in May, also taking place in Riyadh.

20-year-old Itauma has stepped up in his last few fights to defeat the likes of Mariusz Wach, Demsey McKean, and Mike Balogun. The trio have a combined record of 81-12, and Itauma stopped all three within two rounds, taking just over eight minutes in total to despatch of them all.