Frank Warren believes Martin Bakole is ‘too slow’ and ‘ponderous’ to be Moses Itauma’s next opponent.

Itauma earned himself a No.1 WBO ranking by knocking out Mike Balogun this past weekend in Glasgow, cementing his name as one of the most dangerous heavyweight prospects in the process.

Moses Itauma has put boxing's heavyweight division on red alert in the last year
5

Moses Itauma has put boxing’s heavyweight division on red alert in the last yearCredit: Leigh Dawney / Queensberry
The 20-year-old has since been lined up for an instant return to the ring on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois on July 19.

Filip Hrgovic, who defeated Joe Joyce in April, is a frontrunner to face Itauma in late July, but other names like Joseph Parker and Bakole have been mentioned too.

Parker is the WBO interim champion and is expected to fight the winner of Usyk vs Dubois, so he has pretty much been ruled out.

And founder of Queensberry Promotions Warren has left no doubts over a fight between Itauma and Bakole.

Warren, 73, appeared on talkSPORT Boxing this week to do discuss Itauma’s future.

talkSPORT Boxing pundit Spencer Oliver suggested that Itauma face a name like Bakole or Andy Ruiz Jr. next.

Warren was instantly dismissive of Oliver’s suggestion, and said: “I don’t know why you keep banging on about Bakole, I don’t get that.

“He looked crap in his last fight and I think he was lucky to get the draw [with Efe Ajagba]. And the fight before that he got sploshed in one round.”

Bakole was brutally knocked out by Parker after two rounds when they met in Saudi Arabia in February.

Three months later, The Congo man found himself in the squared circle with Ajagba, as both men fought to a contentious draw.

Warren said there would only be one winner in a fight between Itauma and Bakole
5

Warren said there would only be one winner in a fight between Itauma and Bakole

Bakole was flattened by Parker in February
5

Bakole was flattened by Parker in FebruaryCredit: GETTY
talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan then interjected, saying that Bakole could prove to be a solid next fight for Itauma.

“No, I’ve got to tell you,” Warred hit back. “You keep banging on about [Bakole], maybe you lot know more than I do, but Martin Bakole? Do me a favour.

“He looked crap last time out and that’s not gonna be what makes Moses Itauma, not at all.

“He’s well past that, and by the way, I got a text from Billy Nelson (Bakole’s coach and manager) about a week ago, saying [Bakole] didn’t want the fight [with Itauma], even if it was there, until December.

“The point about it is also. They said they’ve got a big fight lined up this summer, so let Bakole have a big fight, let him reestablish himself.

“There’s only going to be one winner in that fight, it would go the same way as the others’ … he’s too slow, ponderous, and if you get hit by him you should be arrested for loitering.

Itauma has racked up 10 KO's in his 12 professional fights
5

Itauma has racked up 10 KO’s in his 12 professional fightsCredit: Getty

Dubois faces Usyk for undisputed heavyweight status in late July
5

Dubois faces Usyk for undisputed heavyweight status in late JulyCredit: Getty
“I’m not going to do something to prove anything to anybody, I don’t need to do that.”

Itauma hasn’t put a foot wrong during the eye-catching 12-0 start to his professional boxing career, and Warren wants the Chatham southpaw to make a return at Wembley Stadium in July.

The Brit’s best win to date is a one-round blowout of Aussie puncher, Demsey McKean, who is best known for taking Hrgovic eleven and a half rounds.

Boxing fans are eager to see what is next in store Itauma, with the sky currently being the Kent native’s limit.