I’m not stupid, Chisora declines Itauma fight

Renowned British heavyweight Derek Chisora has dismissed the prospect of a bout with fresh talent Moses Itauma, stating bluntly, "I'm not that stupid." The 42-year-old fighter made his stance clear during a discussion on the boxing debate program, Fight Your Corner, explaining his refusal to step into the ring with the 21-year-old contender, who is expected to ascend to championship status despite suffering his first professional loss last month.

"Nobody gets better. I'm not going near Moses (Itauma), am I? Definitely not with Moses. Keep your money, Frank, I don't want it," Chisora asserted, directly confronting his promoter, Frank Warren.

Chisora's most recent contest ended in a 12-round defeat to American Deontay Wilder in April 2026, following a win over Otto Wallin in February 2025, marking his last triumph. His boxing record stands at 36 victories, 23 by knockout, and 14 losses. Itauma, born in Slovakia and brought up in Chatham, Kent, boasts a professional record of 14 wins, 12 by knockout, and one loss.

He is also managed by Warren's Queensberry Promotions and trains under Ben Davison. Itauma's sole defeat occurred on August 29 when he was stopped in the ninth round by Filip Hrgovic, who aimed for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at the O2 Arena in London. Despite the setback, Itauma remains undeterred, attributing his loss to experience.

In a post-fight Instagram video, he congratulated Hrgovic, acknowledging that he gained valuable experience for future fights. Hrgovic, who controlled a significant portion of the contest, praised Itauma as the toughest fighter he had faced but noted a disparity in experience. The 34-year-old conceded that his opponent gassed out early, a factor he recognized would be a weakness to exploit.

Warren disclosed that Itauma sustained a leg injury during the bout and needs to improve his ring craft before his next fight, while still believing in the youngster's potential to become one of the division's most promising heavyweights. Hrgovic also foresaw Itauma's future success, provided he learns to pace himself over longer distances. Peter, a sportswriter for PUNCH with two years of experience, covers combat sports, features, and human-interest stories.