Daniel Dubois and Moses Itauma are likely to be the key men in the heavyweight division for many years to come.
Dubois is already a former IBF world champion who has been involved in some big fights. He had a standout run across 2024 that saw him stop Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and then destroy Anthony Joshua inside five rounds.
Last year, he risked his belt for undisputed greatness agains Oleksnar Usky and got beaten for the second time by the Ukrainian great.
Now Dubois is looking to come back stronger in 2026, while Itauma is also looking to stake his claim at the world level.
He is just 21-years-old and has fought 13 times, winning all of them and 11 by KO, with nine of those wins coming impressively early inside the first two rounds, and next up he takes on Jermaine Franklin in March.
Already, there is a new young talent on the horizon in Adam Olaniyan, who is chasing both men.
Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, he showed great confidence in where he can get to.
“There’s a thing in boxing where if you don’t win an Olympic medal it won’t be as good as it could be, but I’m looking at the likes of Daniel Dubois, he’s beaten Anthony Joshua, he beaten some top top level guys and he was a world champion. I’m looking at Moses and how he’s ripping through the heavyweight division, they’re only human, if they can do that, I can do that too.”
The 19-year-old Irish amateur standout then said that, in time, he will be ready to fight both.
“I can appreciate how young they turned over and what they were able to accomplish. But I’m my own man, im not looking at their clock to set my time. I’m doing things at my own pace. Hopefully, when the time is right, they’re mega fights, me, Daniel and Moses.”
Olaniyan is set to make his professional on the Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace card on March 14, and will certainly be one to watch. Speaking on the signing, promoter Frank Warren said:
“I am thrilled to bring Adam to Queensberry, and he is clearly a very special and gifted young heavyweight who excelled as an amateur,” added Warren.
“It is the perfect time for him to turn professional and make himself known throughout the world at a time when the heavyweights are dominating the boxing landscape.
“Every fighter is different, and we will bring Adam along at the correct pace and make sure he gets all the experience he needs.
“He is with a top trainer in Paul, and the environment in his gym will bring the very best out of him and see to it that Ireland will have a heavyweight star to be proud of.”
