From Moses Itauma’s coming-of-age clash with a weathered Dillian Whyte, to Nick Ball defending Britain’s last world title, to a heavyweight wild card with knockout potential, this card isn’t short of storylines. Here’s how it all shapes up.

Itauma vs Whyte — Youth vs Wear & Tear

The closer we get, the more the chatter changes. When this fight was announced, most wrote it off as a foregone conclusion — Moses Itauma in a quick and easy win.

But now, as the lights start warming up over fight night, doubts are creeping in. Can the kid take a shot? What happens if it goes deep? Fair questions — but the wrong ones for this weekend.

Dillian Whyte simply isn’t fresh enough to test Itauma’s chin, and he doesn’t have the legs to drag him into deep water.

He’ll try to stamp a jab and sling a few haymakers early, but it won’t be long before we see Whyte adopting the approach of former foe Derek Chisora. Planting himself on the ropes, inviting pressure, praying for one wild counter to land, whilst soaking up a steady stream of leather in return.

Usually, I’m quick to temper the hype around British prospects. But Itauma is the real deal. When he turned over, I called him the most naturally gifted amateur I’d seen on these shores.

His hand speed, paired with laser accuracy, is lethal. He might be a teenager, but in mind and muscle, he’s already a grown man.

Whyte, once a legitimate contender, has been weathered by wars. His chin isn’t what it was, and while he was never a speedster, now he moves like he’s trudging through wet cement.

The first few rounds will be cautious — Dillian fearing the big shot, Moses respecting the veteran and avoiding rookie mistakes. But once the gears shift, Whyte will be a stationary target, Itauma will zero in, and the beatdown will begin.

Give it two, maybe three rounds of punishment before the referee steps in around the fourth or fifth, to crown Itauma as the new superstar of the sports glamour division.

Ball vs Goodman — Wrecking Ball Meets Aussie Ambition

On the undercard, Britain’s lone reigning world champion, Nick Ball, makes the third defence of his WBA featherweight crown against Australia’s Sam Goodman.

Since blasting out Isaac Lowe at Wembley Stadium, Ball’s been in full throttle, and the 126lb division is brimming with mouthwatering matchups if he keeps winning.

Goodman, unbeaten in 20, has spent his career at super bantamweight. His shot at Naoya Inoue fell through, his momentum stalled, and now he’s up against a wrecking ball in Ball — at a weight where physicality matters.

I can’t see this ending well for the man from Down Under. Ball will ragdoll him. And given the injury record of Goodman, I don’t see him holding up.

Hrgovic vs Adeleye — Pedigree vs Power

The wild card of the night comes at heavyweight.

On paper, it is a mismatch. Filip Hrgovic — elite amateur pedigree, proven at world level. David Adeleye — modest amateur career, no wins above British level.

But this is heavyweight boxing, where one punch can flip the script. Adeleye is raw but heavy-handed, and Adam Booth is a smart coach. Even so, Hrgovic’s chin has been stress-tested by Zhang, Joyce, and Dubois.

If the Croatian withstands Adeleye’s power, his craft and experience will carry him through a rough but clear win. 

That being said, the reality remains that granite chins don’t last forever, especially in the land of the giants. Don’t be shocked if Hrgovic has taken one power shot too many, and Adeleye reaps the rewards.

Ford vs Nova — Sleeper

Raymond Ford vs Anthony Cacace was shaping up to be a gem before the Irishman pulled out. Credit to the promoters, who landed Abraham Nova as the replacement.

Ford’s been cruising at 130lbs, but Nova thrives as the underdog. He pushed O’Shaquie Foster to the brink before a late knockdown cost him. He’s big, he’s awkward, and he could make this a long night.

I love Ford’s skill set, but this is one of those fights where he could look stifled. His clutch gene is undeniable, and I could picture another dramatic finish to rescue the win from the jaws of defeat.

However, I am calling the draw.

Tsutsumi vs Ashfaq — Damage Incoming

And last, but certainly not least — easily one of the oddest matchups of 2025.

Hayato Tsutsumi is my guy. I was waving the flag before anyone outside Japan knew his name. At featherweight, he had physical limits; at super featherweight, he’s a machine.

Qais Ashfaq is neat and tidy but fragile under fire — three knockdowns in three losses, all at lower weights. Against a bigger, meaner, sharper Tsutsumi at 130, I don’t see him hearing the final bell.

I have it on good authority that Turki Al-Sheikh would like to see Tsutsumi challenge IBF holder, Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez, in a Mexico vs Japan-themed event. A highlight-reel KO on Saturday could accelerate those negotiations.

Final Thoughts

Itauma stops Whyte (Rounds 4–6), Ball forces Goodman’s corner or the doctor to pull him out, Hrgovic outpoints or stops Adeleye late, Ford vs Nova ends in a stalemate, and Tsutsumi annihilates Ashfaq