A contentious challenge has emerged from the heavyweight ranks, directly questioning Moses Itauma’s physical suitability for the division. Australian fighter Teremoana Teremoana recently stirred debate, declaring Itauma “too small” to compete with him.
This provocative comment, originally linked to a fighter with a flawless knockout record, highlights a broader discussion surrounding Itauma’s rapid ascent and perceived stature. But the specific dynamics of British heavyweight challenges to Itauma offer a more intricate picture, marked by significant factual discrepancies.
British Heavyweight Solomon Dacres Targets Moses Itauma
While Teremoana Teremoana’s “too small” remark made headlines, the more prominent British heavyweight contender publicly linked to Moses Itauma is Solomon Dacres. Dacres, “The Real Deal,” is an Orthodox fighter who stands at 6 ft 5 in. His professional record currently stands at 10 wins and 1 loss.
Crucially, Dacres holds 3 knockout victories from his 10 wins, giving him a knockout percentage of roughly 30-33%, not the 100% claimed by Teremoana. Furthermore, a direct quote from Dacres explicitly stating Itauma is “too small” for him couldn’t be verified through recent searches. This suggests a potential misattribution or a generalized interpretation of the challenge within some initial reports.
Dacres’ Journey Through the Heavyweight Ranks
Solomon Dacres, 32, has already made a mark in British boxing. He captured the vacant English Heavyweight title on March 18, 2023. Dacres achieved this by stopping Robert Ismay in the second round, showcasing his power early in his career.
He went on to successfully defend his English title twice. First, against Michael Webster in November 2023 via a majority decision, then again in July 2024 with a TKO victory over Webster in their rematch. However, his reign ended on December 7, 2024, when David Adeleye secured a first-round TKO victory against him.
Dacres returned to winning ways on July 19, 2025, defeating Vladyslav Sirenko by unanimous decision at Wembley Stadium in London. This win demonstrated his resilience and continued ambition in a competitive division. He’s looking to rebuild momentum and secure bigger fights.
A Lingering Rivalry: Past Orders and Public Spats
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) once officially ordered a fight between Dacres and Itauma for the English heavyweight title. This mandate came with a purse bid date set for February 12, 2024. But it’s unclear if this title defence ever took place.
Reports from January 2024 indicated Dacres might not have been keen on the matchup. For his part, Moses Itauma has publicly dismissed Dacres as “trash.” The 21-year-old phenom stated he’d fight Dacres “tomorrow” and considered him “easy work.”
Itauma also claimed Dacres “didn’t even want to look at me” during an encounter in Saudi Arabia. This public back-and-forth suggests a genuine, albeit currently unfulfilled, rivalry. It also adds a personal edge to any potential future bout between the two British heavyweights.
Moses Itauma: A Rapid Ascent in Heavyweight Boxing
At just 21 years old, Moses Itauma has quickly cemented his status as one of boxing’s most exciting prospects. The Slovak-Brit, born in Kežmarok, Slovakia, now boasts an impressive undefeated professional record of 14 wins with no losses. A staggering 12 of these victories have come by knockout, showcasing his devastating power.
Itauma stands 6 ft 4½ in tall with a 79-inch reach and typically scales in around 240lbs. His southpaw stance combined with exceptional speed and footwork makes him a formidable opponent. He aims to become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson, a feat that would cement his legacy in boxing history.
Path to an IBF World Title Shot
Itauma’s meteoric rise includes significant victories over notable opponents. He stopped Mariusz Wach in the second round in July 2024 and quickly dispatched Demsey McKean in the first round in December 2024. His career-defining victory against former world title contender Dillian Whyte in August 2025, which ended in a first-round knockout, truly announced his arrival.
Most recently, he secured a fifth-round TKO victory over Jermaine Franklin in March 2026 in Manchester. This win was particularly significant as it marked Franklin’s first professional loss by knockout. Itauma’s next major challenge is confirmed: he’s slated to face Filip Hrgovic on August 29, 2026, at London’s O2 Arena. This highly anticipated bout is for the vacant IBF World Heavyweight Title.
The victor of the Itauma-Hrgovic clash will then be compelled to defend the IBF belt against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez in December. Sanchez’s co-manager, Mike Borao, confirmed that Sanchez stepped aside to allow this fight to happen, with a guarantee for a shot at the winner. This means a clear path forward for Itauma should he emerge victorious.
The “Too Small” Debate: Itauma’s Physical Attributes in Focus
The notion of a heavyweight being “too small” is a recurring theme in the division. While Itauma’s height and weight are certainly within the standard heavyweight range, his fighting style often relies on speed and agility rather than brute force. This approach can sometimes invite criticism from those who favour more traditional, larger heavyweights.
Teremoana Teremoana’s remarks, regardless of specific attribution to Dacres, highlight this ongoing debate. Teremoana, who claims to walk around at 120kg (265lbs), positioned himself as a “real heavyweight” capable of outmatching Itauma. However, Itauma’s performance against Jermaine Franklin, who is known for his physicality, demonstrated his ability to overcome perceived size disadvantages through skill and precision.
Speed Versus Size: Modern Heavyweight Dynamics
The contemporary heavyweight landscape increasingly values athleticism and boxing IQ alongside raw power. Fighters like Itauma epitomize this shift, proving that nimble movement and precise punching can be just as effective as overwhelming size. His ability to deliver a devastating knockout punch, despite not being the largest in the division, is undeniable. This strategy often forces bigger opponents to adjust their game plan.
The comparison with Solomon Dacres, who is only marginally taller, further underscores the point. Dacres doesn’t represent a colossal step up in physical dimensions for Itauma, but rather a different style of British challenge. This focus on skill over sheer bulk ensures that Moses Itauma’s potential path to unification fights will be rigorously tested against diverse opponents.
The Road Ahead for Both Heavyweights
Moses Itauma’s immediate future is clear: an IBF title shot against Filip Hrgovic awaits. A win would not only grant him a world championship but also set him on a trajectory for major unification bouts in the coming years. His ambition to be the second-youngest heavyweight champion ever is a powerful driving force.
For Solomon Dacres, the path forward involves continuing to secure impressive victories and making a compelling case for a high-profile matchup. He needs to elevate his competition to solidify his standing as a top British contender.
While a direct clash with Itauma isn’t immediately on the cards due to Itauma’s world title commitments, the rivalry between the two British heavyweights remains a compelling narrative for the future. The heavyweight division is rarely short on drama, and these two promising fighters are set to contribute significantly to its unfolding story.
