Moses Itauma will look to make a major statement when he faces veteran Dillian Whyte on Saturday, August 16, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight headlines Esports World Cup Fight Week and streams live worldwide on DAZN PPV — priced at £19.99 in the UK, $49.99 in the US, €19.99 in Europe, and $49.95 in Australia.
It’s a massive leap for Itauma — fresh off his WBO #1 ranking and a two-round demolition of Mike Balogun — but Whyte isn’t just here to be a name on a résumé. The 37-year-old former WBC interim champion knows this could be his last chance to matter in the heavyweight division.
Can the rising star handle the veteran’s tricks?
Itauma has been fed a steady diet of beatable opponents. This is the first time he’s facing someone who’s been in with Joshua, Fury, and Povetkin. Whyte’s not as fast or sharp as he once was, but he’s crafty, heavy-handed, and still thrives when the fight gets ugly.
If Itauma keeps the jab pumping and uses his reach, it’s his fight to lose. If he backs up in straight lines and lets Whyte close the gap, the old man will rough him up. The stakes are simple — a win puts Itauma in the mix for a world title. A loss stalls the hype train cold.
Updated start times
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Venue: ANB Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Start time: 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT / 5:45 p.m. BST / 11:45 a.m. Mexico City
Main event ringwalks (approx): 5:20 p.m. ET / 2:20 p.m. PT / 10:20 p.m. BST / 4:20 p.m. Mexico City
Live on: DAZN PPV
DAZN PPV Fight card
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Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte – Heavyweight
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Nick Ball vs Sam Goodman – Featherweight (WBA title)
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Ray Ford vs Abraham Nova – Super featherweight
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Filip Hrgovic vs David Adeleye – Heavyweight
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Hayato Tsutsumi vs Qais Ashfaq – Super featherweight
5 questions fans are asking about Itauma vs Whyte
1. Is this the toughest fight of Moses Itauma’s career?
Absolutely. Whyte might be older and slower, but he’s crafty, nasty, and dangerous enough to flip a young fighter’s night upside down.
2. Can Whyte still take a punch?
That’s the million-dollar question. He’s been stopped before, but if Itauma doesn’t land clean early, Whyte could turn it ugly and drag it out.
3. Is the WBO #1 ranking for Itauma legit?
Depends who you ask. Some say it’s well-earned, others think it’s boxing politics giving him a shortcut to a title shot.
4. What happens if Itauma loses?
It’s a derailment. The hype train slows, the matchmaking changes, and he might get fed to gatekeepers for a bit.
5. Will the fight actually deliver?
It should. A hungry young gun versus a grizzled veteran who refuses to go quietly? Yeah, there’s drama written all over this one.
Last Updated on 08/11/2025
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