The stakes have been raised for Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte’s crossroads fight on Saturday night.
Not only will the British titans be competing for a seat at the heavyweight top table, they will also be duking it out for the vacant Commonwealth belt.
At the final press conference on Thursday, Michael Buffer confirmed that the prestigious piece of hardware will be placed on the line in the Saudi sizzler alongside the WBO intercontinental and WBA international trinkets.
It will act as an added sweetener for Itauma, who is yet to compete for a regional or domestic title during his perfect 12-0 start to life in the paid ranks.
Fabio Wardley was the last man to hold the Commonwealth strap, but he relinquished the title before his most recent outing against Justis Huni in June.
Prior to Wardley, several notable names have reigned as Commonwealth heavyweight champions, including Lennox Lewis, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua.
Whyte fought for the belt against Joshua in 2015 but was dispatched in the seventh round by his fierce rival.
‘The Bodysnatcher’ will be hoping that the second time is a charm ahead of an all-British showdown with Itauma that most anticipate he will lose.
Throughout the build-up, Whyte, who has only fought twice in three years, has been embracing the role of underdog, even if he does feel a little disrespected by those who are writing him off.
“I’m someone who isn’t supposed to be here,” Whyte said at the top table.
“I never had a good amateur career, no support. I’m just a kid from Jamaica who has been written off many times.
“I was meant to be dead before I was in my 20s, but here I am.”
Whyte repeatedly downplayed his chances of beating Itauma at the press conference, insisting he was just happy to be back under the bright lights.
However, Itauma saw right through it.
“I think there’s a rule in the 48 Laws of Power where you play a sheep to catch a wolf,” Itauma added.
“I feel like that’s what he is doing. If he is or he’s not, it doesn’t matter because I’m going to bring the heat Saturday night.”
Whyte refused to get drawn into a back-and-forth and brushed off Itauma’s comments by replying: “Ain’t no sheep around here.
“A lot of wolves but no sheep. I always come to fight, and nothing has changed. I always try to give my all in the ring.”
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