Boxing's big names predict the outcome for huge Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte showdown

One of the most intriguing fights of the year takes place tonight as Moses Itauma battles Dillian Whyte, with both men seeking a statement win in the heavyweight scene, live on DAZN pay-per-view.

The bout pits two men at either ends of their careers, with 20-year-old Itauma touted as one of the sport's best young fighters, while Whyte, at 37, is hoping to rebuild his career as it reaches its latter stages. 
 
Itauma heads into Riyadh as a favourite to win the fight, but what do the boxing's biggest names think will happen once the bell rings? 

DAZN

David Haye, former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion

“For sure, Itauma’s got everything you need, but there are a few unknowns.

“What’s his stamina like when he gets into rounds seven, eight and nine?

“How does he process it? Does he crumble or does he rise to the occasion and show Dillian something else?

“There are so many unknowns in this fight. If I was a betting man I would go with Itauma early, in the first four rounds, or Dillian Whyte on points.

“It’ll be a fight of two halves – the youth, energy, speed and confidence of a young, hungry fighter who knows no better against a seasoned campaigner who has mixed it.”

Buddy McGirtt, Dillan Whyte's coach 

“We got to make it a dog fight. We have to make it a dog fight. You know what I mean? They got to make it a smart dog fight. That's the key.

"You can't go in and just go buck wild and get hit with some dumb ----. No, you got to be smart about it, but you got to get them in the trenches. But you got to be smart about how you get them in the trenches. That's the key.”

Carl Frampton, former two-weight world champion

“I think he’s (Itauma) a very neat and tidy boxer. 

"Moses clearly punches hard, the fastest hands in the heavyweight division, I think. I think it could be an early night."

Tony Bellew, former cruiserweight champion 

“Dillian, in my opinion, is at the end. He’s being paid a king’s ransom to go in there and be dealt with.”

Derek Chisora, heavyweight boxer 

“I even phoned Dillian and said I don’t know why you’re taking this fight, this kid is on fire right now.

"He’s getting better and better. He’s not going backwards, he’s going forward...

"He’s 20. Someone needs to call the police and get them done for attempted murder for making that fight happen.

“That is not the fight to make right now. Moses is on fire, so we need to decide who goes to prison when Dillian gets battered badly. There’s no light at the end of that tunnel.”

Dave Allen, current heavyweight 

"I think Dillian Whyte has had three fights in three years, and at 37 years of age, I expect Itauma to win inside the distance.

"Dillian Whyte at his best was a world-class heavyweight, but we haven't seen him at that level for five or six years.

"They aren't daft, they wouldn't put him in with Dillian Whyte if they thought he was anywhere near his best."

Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Simon Jordan, boxing host 

"I think [Itauma] will beat Dillian, and I think he will beat him convincingly, no disrespect intended.

"Moses isn't the light at the end of the tunnel; he is the train, and that is what Dillian is going to run into."

Martin Bankole, heavyweight contender 

“I think maybe Dillian Whyte will get knocked out. He’s been out for a long time. Moses is moving a lot.

"Like Oleksandr Usyk, he’s a small heavyweight; he doesn’t need to stay in front of a big guy, he is going to get knocked out, but I think he is going to move a lot and try to box him.

“Everyone knows Dillian Whyte after round four, five, six, he gets tired and he starts fighting like someone who has never been in the gym before.

"If he can move his feet and lose a bit of weight, with his experience, he can maybe beat Moses, but no, Moses right now, this is his time. I think he can knock him out to get in the mix.”

Barry Jones, former super-featherweight champion 

"I think Whyte needs that bit of [me against the world] feeling on him. 

"He looks in great shape. I'm not sure if losing all that weight is a good thing or a bad thing.

"It means he's going to be a little more mobile, and against Itauma, he's going to need that. If he's got eighty per cent of what he had at his peak, then he's a problem for Itauma.

"Itauma hasn't boxed anywhere near that level yet. Demsey McKean was a good test, but in Whyte, he's got a guy who knows how to handle a fight [and] the whole fight week.

"He should be on Itauma's case right from now, try and get him unsettled. I think it's a hard ask, but come fight night, if there are any doubts for Itauma, he'd be sowing the seed."

Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN

Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte is live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday, August 16. Watch the PPV for free by purchasing a DAZN annual subscription (exc. US).

More information, pricing and to buy  click here.