That an article is being published detailing which opponent might follow for Moses Itauma, mere hours before he fights Jermaine Franklin, exhibits the weight of the expectation on the young heavyweight's shoulders.
Everyone, and we mean everyone, in the sport of boxing expects 21-year-old Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), to get past Franklin and then go on to conquer the division.
However, though a showdown with world champion Oleksandr Usyk is beyond interesting, it would also represent a leap in class of gargantuan proportions. Even a shot at WBO beltholder, Fabio Wardley, should be considered wildly risky at this stage of Itauma's development.
Think about it: Before Mike Tyson - the former king to whom so many like comparing Moses Itauma - won his first heavyweight title he'd gone 10 rounds twice (against James Tillis and Mitch Green), he'd been tested by Jesse Ferguson and Jose Ribalta, he'd blasted out Marvis Frazier and he'd thrashed a terrified former cruiserweight boss in Alfonzo Ratliff.
Thus far, Franklin notwithstanding, the only opponent who could be deemed world class was Dillian Whyte but, and it's a sizeable but, he looked so shopworn it's fair to conclude that Itauma remains untested. Which surely means that Itauma's promoter Frank Warren, a proven builder of champions, won't be too quick to throw his prized prospect in too deep in his next bout.
With that in mind, then, who will Moses Itauma fight next?
Murat Gassiev, 33-2 (26 KOs)
The 32-year-old Russian is the holder of the spurious - but vaguely useful - WBA 'regular' title. BoxingScene understands that Queensberry have been monitoring the status of that belt with interest since the WBA ordered then-holder Kubrat Pulev to defend against Itauma last year, only to then allow him to take on Gassiev instead.
Gassiev, a proven former cruiserweight champion, might just about be deemed beatable enough by Team Itauma. Though he flattened Pulev in six rounds, Gassiev didn't beat a monster, he beat a 44-year-old who was approximately 10 years past his best. Also, three years ago, Gassiev was outpointed by Otto Wallin - perhaps the surest sign that Itauma would have his way with him too.
Lawrence Okolie, 23-1 (17 KOs)
This one doesn't seem as likely. Okolie is tall, awkward, underrated and the kind of opponent who you don't fight unless you have to. However, at the WBC convention in December, the sanctioning body ordered an eliminator between the two - something that Joe Gallagher, Okolie's coach, approved of. And if Itauma is indeed going to rule the world, overcoming someone like Okolie should provide him with a valuable lesson or two.
Furthermore, Itauma and Okolie have history. The story goes that a teenage Itauma rocked up to Okolie's gym in his school uniform before giving the then-cruiserweight hell in sparring. That's the kind of story that marketers adore. Both, too, are promoted by Queensberry.
Jarrell Miller, 27-1-2 (22 KOs)
Miller is scheduled to take on another upstart in Lenier Pero on April 25 in an eliminator of sorts. Win or lose, Miller might be deemed ideal fodder for Itauma in the summer. He's durable, he can sell a fight, and his name - though soaked in notoriety - is notable enough to be deemed a worthwhile scalp.
Not working in Miller's favor, however, is his history with Queensberry. The 37-year-old left a sour taste in the mouths of the Warrens after he pulled out of a scheduled bout with Wardley last year and, at the time, they vowed never to work with "Big Baby" again.
Joe Joyce, 16-4 (15 KOs)
Those who believe 40-year-old Joyce should hang up his gloves after losing four of his last five bouts make a valid point. However, the Queensberry-promoted veteran - known for his sturdy whiskers - remains keen to carry on. And, in a nod to the cruel boxing circle of life, the former contender is now likely regarded only as an 'opponent' to those guiding him.
Even so, serving Joyce to Itauma seems plain cruel - a feeling that is likely to be shared by the public and, thus, a big reason why matchmakers would opt against such a contest.
Zhilei Zhang, 27-3-1 (22 KOs)
Now we're talking. Yet another big man on the Queensberry books, the 42-year-old southpaw hasn't fought since being walloped by Agit Kabayel last year but one senses all it will take to change that is a phone call from his promoters. Though he can boast a recent-ish victory over Deontay Wilder the fact that Zhang's form since twice upsetting Joyce has dipped won't be lost on those in the Itauma business.
"Big Bang" is always serviceable on a fight poster and, with his reputation as a ginormous puncher from China, Zhang would likely be welcomed by fans as a suitable exam for young Itauma.
