Most 20-year-old boxers would be building towards national and European titles – former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was 21 when he won the English belt – but Itauma has skipped that route and is aiming straight for the top.
Fellow Britons Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois have gone on to become world champions. Itauma has exceeded what they had achieved in the professional ranks by his age.
All three enjoyed undefeated starts to their careers, but Dubois was 21 when he won his 12th fight, Fury was 22 and Joshua was 25.
However, early success for Itauma by no means guarantees future gold.
Itauma has been carefully managed over the past two years and Whyte, albeit at the age of 37, is set to be the biggest name he has faced.
“Yes, it is the right time [to face Whyte] and I only say that because it isn’t the wrong time,” Itauma said.
“Everyone needs a breakthrough fight. AJ had it with Charles Martin, Tyson Fury had it with Deontay Wilder, so I guess this is my breakthrough fight.”
Taking on Whyte, a former WBC interim champion who has fought Fury, Joshua and Joseph Parker, undoubtedly offers Itauma the platform to move to the next level of his career, but only if he gets the win.
Saturday will be the first time Itauma has headlined a card as a professional. If he delivers on the big stage, he could soon find himself in with WBO interim champion Parker or even Usyk.
