'Bad man' Itauma hailed by ex-heavyweight champion amid fight talk

Moses Itauma can add an ex-world champion to his admirers, with Andy Ruiz Jr. full of praise for the rising British talent.

The former dispatched Jermaine Franklin inside five brutal rounds last month to extend his unbeaten professional record.

Long earmarked by pundits and powerbrokers as a future champion, Itauma has made no secret about his 2026 title hopes

Ruiz, who dethroned Anthony Joshua as unified heavyweight champion in 2019, feels there is plenty to admire in the star.

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“He's a bad man," the Californian told casino.org . "He's really good. His combinations, his timing, everything is really good.

“I think he's a dangerous fighter to anybody who's trying to get at him right now. I think right now for him he just needs to just keep winning these fights and get his record up.

“He could be a champion for sure in a few years. He's so young right now, so he has a big future ahead of him. I see him as a threat to everybody.

"So, I feel everybody should be careful with him because he's a dangerous fighter and he goes in there and tries to get everybody out, just like how every fighter should be.

“But right now, he's a young fighter and he's hungry, so I think a lot of heavyweights should be careful with him.”

Ruiz did not rule out a potential bout with the Briton down the line, admitting he would relish a crack at sharing the ring with him.

However, having not fought since a draw with Jarrell Miller in 2024, the veteran admits he would need to take a tune-up or two beforehand.

"I don't back down from any fight, but I want to be ready to fight," he added. "I want to get at least two fights in first.

"Then if they put me with him, I’ll be ready and it will be a great fight. We'll see if he has it or not."

“When you combine a Mexican fighting style that's about going forward and not being scared of getting hit, with his style, then I think it will make for an interesting fight.

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