At just 20 years old, Itauma has quickly made a name for himself as one of the hottest talents in the heavyweight division. He's racked up an impressive 12-0 record with 11 knockouts, including first-round stoppages of Demsey McKean and Mariusz Wach.
Whyte brings a wealth of experience to the ring, having faced top opponents like Fury himself, Anthony Joshua, Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, and Derek Chisora. But he's been inactive for two years due to issues with drug test clearance.
In an interview with The Stomping Ground, Fury gave his thoughts on the matchup:
"It's a very good time to fight Dillian, he's had a couple of years out of the ring. But Dillian is a massive puncher to head and body, I know he's taking it very serious. It's a massive step up for Moses, he hasn't really fought anyone on Dillian's level."
Fury sees potential for the fight to mirror the recent upset of Jared Anderson by Martin Bakole. He acknowledges the uncertainty, saying, "Maybe it's too early and maybe he passes with flying colours."
The "Gypsy King" had some words of wisdom for the young Itauma:
"Forget about breaking records. Take your time. You've only got one career, enjoy it."
Fury praised Itauma's skills and character, calling him a "very good fighter, lovely boxer" and "a good kid, like a sponge, absorbs advice, listens."
Itauma has garnered support from some of the biggest names in boxing. Both Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have named him as the future of the heavyweight division. A win against Whyte in August would go a long way to backing up that statement.
The fight promises to be a defining moment for Itauma's career. Will his youth and talent overcome Whyte's experience and power? Boxing fans will have to tune in next month to find out.