5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - Itauma v Whyte: Meet the Fighters

Episode Date: August 14, 2025

Is Dillian Whyte being unfairly written off ahead of his fight with Moses Itauma? Buncey sits down with Whyte, who explains why he's in such good shape and why he took the fight. We also hear from Itauma, who is taking a very philosophical approach to the fight. Plus, Nick Ball, David Adeleye and Filip Hrgović are also on the pod.

This is Five Live Boxing. On Saturday night at 10pm on Five Live, we will bring you commentary of Moses Itama against Dillian White. It's in Saudi Arabia. Is Moses Atama the future of heavyweight boxing? Everybody seems to think he is. There's no belts on the line. There's nothing like that.

It's just a fight to see who goes forward. And there is a belt on the line. The WBA featherweight belt where Nick Ball defends against Sam Goodman. It's a special fight night once again from Saudi. I'm Steve Bunce and this is Five Live Boxing. Now the plan was to do a few interviews with a few fighters in the green room. The green room's lovely but I also spotted.

I saw this door and I walked through and I'm now in the massive kingdom where there's probably 35,000 seats. They've built a brand new stand like the cop, like a cop stand. There's a football pitch. There's a million lights illuminating it. And I'm in here with Moses, the time. Moses, before we talk about the fight, it's a bit impressive, isn't it?

Yeah, man, it's good, it's good. Do you know what? Honestly, I didn't even realize that this was, is it Al Nassau's football ground? I'm like, what, inside? Yeah, inside. It's football on grass, isn't it? Whoa, they built that stand.

So it was just like plastic seating, and they built that, I think it's a ferebo or something. That's crazy. Like, honestly, yeah, I've been, like I said, I've boxed here twice. You've been here? I haven't seen none of this.

And obviously, I've realized that there is box seats as well. Because this is where Fury fall in Garno Yes, when you were on the undercard outside, and then we came back inside, do you remember? Exactly, exactly. And that's what I mean. Like, even seeing it now, because wasn't this built in like three months

or something like this? And they've built a whole football pitch. Like, no, that's crazy. You know what? Saying that there, you know, you've been out here three times, you're on that very first show, October 2023. It's strange because you're like a veteran, but you're only 20 years of age.

You've only had 12 fights. But in some ways, because I've been talking to you for a long time, He's been around a lot longer than just a couple of years, Moses. Do you get that same feeling? I don't know why that's had an effect, like, seem looking like I'm a veteran. Honestly, do you know what it is? Like, I know that boxing is just a short career, so I'm just trying to live it up and make the most use of it while I've got it, if that makes sense.

So, like, I take a lot of pressure off my shoulders. Like Ralph came up to me yesterday. He went, mate, I've worked with all the grades. I've worked with Tyson. I've worked with him. I worked here. He said, you are not. the most chilled out.

You're the calm as one. Exactly. And I just said, because, like, I've done everything I could this camp. So it's like, if I go in there and I get the result, I, or I get a result I didn't want, I know it's not going to be because of my preparation, which then I can't put it on myself to get what I mean.

I've done everything I could. So it's just a guy starting, he's a thing here, he's spraying sand on the floor, but we'll let him go. It's okay. He's allowed to do it. He's allowed to do it. On the subject of pressure,

I don't want to keep you long, because I know you've got a massive, massive thing to do. On the subject of pressure, Is that one way you deal with it? Because even though you might say there's no pressure, there's a lot of pressure. And it's good, pressure's a privilege as well, remember?

Let's get that right. No, of course. I feel like, you know, I've literally just thought about this right in my head. I like to think of pressure. It's an exclusive that means. Literally, literally just, I'll literally just thought this in my head. I feel like pressure is like rain.

So it's like with rain, you get to have the trees, you get to have the beautiful side of, the rain. But then obviously you don't want to be out in the rain because you'll get wet. Yeah. So me,

I like to have an umbrella, yes, which protects me, which protects me from the negative pressure, but I still get to reap the rewards of the positive pressure. So I don't know if that makes sense. No, it doesn't.

And that still allows you, strangely, to enjoy a week like this. You're leading up to the biggest fight of your life by some, a massive fight that moves you absolutely in line for anything after this fight, assuming you win. You know, it's the business of winners and losers. And this is a time when anyone would say to me, but he's 20 Bunsey.

Surely he's feeling the pressure. And I said, listen, I've been around him and I've not seen him this week. But I'm telling you, he'll be so calm. If we monitored you now, your heartbeat will be arrested. Like you're just walking your dog in the park. 100%. No, do you know what is? And I tell a lot of people, yeah, I get, and I feel the most pressure on once the

fight is announced. Once the fight is announced, yeah, it's like, okay, cool. Like, there's a potential that this might, this guy might cause a damage to me. So, like, that's, like, when it's six weeks out, when it's eight weeks out, that's when I, like, my heart starts pounding fast, because that's when I know I can actually do something about it. Once I'm here, I'm already here. This is it, yeah. So it's like, there's nothing I can do. So there's no point of, like, feeling the pressure, if that makes sense. So, like I said, why make it hard? Exactly. So that's why I just take a little weight off my shoulders. I know people are saying this sounds like a cliche,

but you've always been mature for your years. But you seem now, even though I don't suppose I've seen you, maybe it's been a few months since I said hello to you at a show, but you just seem that much older. I don't say, not saying your face looks old. Lee Wood literally just said the same thing. You just, it's just something about it.

You just seem, and it's not just mature. That's cheap. It's just, you just seem like more grown. It's not even growing up. It's something else. And you get that sense about yourself. You're a big man now. Let's put it that way.

I mean, like, I appreciate the kind words. We're feeling like mature. It's like I feel like it might just be because the 20-year-olds you was exposed to, like, growing up or whatnot. You might think that. They're 20-year-olds, yeah. If you go to like, if you go to my village in Slovakia, you'll see my cousin, like, cutting wood.

Do you get what I mean? You'll see my cousin, like, like, walking long distances just for... That's good. I like that. And that's, that's like mature. I feel like it's the upbringing. Do you get what I mean? Yeah, of course it did.

So I feel like, exactly. So I didn't really get to have an upbringing where I had a chance to be immature. I saw this week, obviously I've just arrived in Saudi, but I've seen a couple of times you've bumped into Dillian White, you've bumped into him, and you've shaken hands. That's the Moses-It-Tam away, isn't it? It's not that. It's like, the thing is like, I know in order to, for me, for example,

I don't need to feel a certain way to fight, because that just means once I get a bit of money, then that's my boxing career done. Because a lot of people are boxing is, like, I guess it is a poor man's sports. And that's why, I guess when you look down, like at the beginning of stages, people look so ferocious, so whatnot,

it's because they don't have anything. They're desperate. Whereas me, I've never been that type of person. I've always been a technical fighter. I've never boxed off emotions. So that's why with Dillion, no matter if I hated them or if I loved them, like I'm still going to box the same.

Like this whole camp, I've spied my friends. I don't need to have hatred towards them for me to spark good. Do you know what you mean? So, yeah. I do know what you mean. So like for me, for example, I don't need to hate a person in order for me to fight them. It's just business.

It's just business. Just get on with it. Something like that. There's a lot about Dillian being said this week about the great condition he's in, how he looks and how he looks different to how he, he's looked in previous fights. And the first part is, I mean,

he can take a little of a pinch of salt. But he certainly looks like he's trained, which is good. So he should train. Of course. He's top of the bill against Moses Itama in Saudi Arabia. And growing up, well, what I said, growing up, the last five or six years, you know, have you been a fan of Dillian Wyatt?

He's a guy that you've watched because he's in so many thunderous fights. I haven't been a fan of his, but I've respected him. Same like, obviously, you saw me, and you saw me just shake everybody's hand. You shook every single person's hand in me. The reason why I do that is because this is a tough,

lonely sport. Like, I'm not going to bait no names out, yeah, but I remember I was watching Pat McCormack spa one of my friends, yeah, and Jordan, like my S&C coach was standing next to me, yeah, and he was going, ah, I bet it's lonely there. And then he was like, do you know the only feeling I can describe? It's like being in the middle, like being in the middle of ocean, and you're just looking around, and like no one can help you. And that's why if you were to be able to put yourself in that position, because a lot of fire, you as don't. If you're able to put yourself where you could be in that position, I've got a lot of respect for you. So that's why I treat everybody with respect. And obviously there's going

to be a time where I'll push comes to shove, but that's what I got my team for. They'll handle that. And finally, I mean, Dillian's shape. I don't want to make too much of it, but it seems clear to me. And I've been around Dillian 15 years that he's in, if not the best shape of his life, best shape for a long, long time. What'd you read into that? So if he's in the best shape of his life, for a long, long time that means it should be an interesting fight. You know what, Moses? I'd like you the first time interviewed you. I think I like you a little bit more now.

I appreciate it. You're a pleasure talking to you. Thank you very much. And enjoy yourself on Saturday night. Thank you, thank you, of course. That's what we've got to do in our business. Job's got to be done then I enjoy myself, but thank you. So I've left Moses at the time to look up at the ceiling and have a look at the pitch

and the stand and I've walked inside and Dillion White's here. And I don't like to do a lot with fighters in Fight Week, Dillian. it's not my style because I know your mind's elsewhere. First of all, thanks for time. Could I say, I know people have been saying that you all week. It's the first time I've clapped eyes on you this week. Yeah. You look in fantastic shape.

Thank you. Genuinely fantastic shape. I'm trying, trying, trying, try and try my best. Is it just been a different regime or just a more serious regime or just a more focused dillion? No, I just, you know, I'm tired of the guys moan at me and say, I've been to go up me. So I said, okay, I've been shaped before they get here.

So I started to work out, give myself in shape before they get here. Most camp I spend more than half the camp getting the shapes of work. If I get ahead of the curb, then, you know, not to work as much. And what sort of weight will you come in or doesn't that matter? Is it not about weight? You know, I haven't been in the skills since... I went on the skills... I knew you were going to say that.

No, no. When I got injured for the Georgia, I went on the skills, I was at 1-16 or something. And then I haven't been the skills since then, because a lot of my career I spend worrying about the skills, worrying about or feel what I do, worrying about what I eat and stuff. I just said, you know what, I just need to be a bit smarter, a little bit cleaner and cut the portion size down. That's it. I haven't been in the skills.

Do you feel like you've been sort of sidelined a little bit in this promotion, sort of taken for granted? And I'm not trying to put words in your mouth. These are things like that. No, no, listen. How do you feel it's been? I know what's at playing here. I know what's going to all this playing games, you know,

calling me baby snatcher, messing me about with the times and all this stuff. It's just part and parcel, part of parcel. I know what's at stake here. I know what they bring me here for. I know what they expect and what they think. But I think I've surprised a few people already. So let's see what I'm saying. You certainly have a surprise for you.

When you say you know what's at stake, what's at stake for Dillian White in this fight? What's on the line? Forget belts. You know, I'm not doing tiles. What's on the line for Dillian and this line? Everything, you know, everything. But like I said, this is nothing new.

My whole career is all been. Most win, fight, most win, fight. I never win nothing at that mature. No ABAs, no Olympics, no nothing. So if you fight, so it's always been must win. I never had no big contracts. When I was the sky, no sky contract. When it was the zone, know his own contract.

So every fight, so it's been must win. Every time I lose, it gets to the back of the curve and have to fight my way to come back again and stuff. So, yeah, it's always been like that. So nothing new. Part of you, I think, likes that idea that you had this kind of outcast, this guy on the outside looking in, having to fight and prove yourself.

It's what you've done. It's what, it's the iron ball has been dealt with. So I've got a new thing. got uncomfortable with it, you know, so I'm not going to start kicking off and screaming and shouting now because people who's writing me off. What I know is me is, the same people's writing me off when they see me, they're changing their mind and being friendly. Keep the same energy, that's what it is. I got in trouble with Derek Del Boy, which is all right for that, because he said, he said to me, you said, you said, I should quit, I said, Del, you just want

a fight, but I still think you should quit. You know, you can win fights and I still think you should quit. I don't think you should quit. I'm really relieved to see you looking in and sounding. You sound and you just, you sound like you're focused. Thank you. You know, inactivity is a bad thing, but it's also a good thing. I haven't been getting my head smashed in and being hard spiring and stuff. Obviously, we've had a good camp in the last time, but it's the goodness, it's a bad thing.

You know, obviously it's the blade soot, but yeah, you know, obviously I'd love to be more active over the last few years, but misfortune circumstances, faster in my career to be slowing down and be tossed on the long grass. So now I'm just, I'm just shopping my way back into the... And what does this kid, Moses Etama, 20 years of age, 12 fights in his career, hasn't fought anybody of note? I mean, that's not me putting him down, that's just the fact. What does he bring to the table? Everything.

They say he's a god, is Mike Tyson reborn. He's like, MacTazen comeback with Mammer Ali. That's what the media and everyone's saying that is this monster. They said that he's the best prospect of Mike Tyson. So, yeah, that's it. And was it a fight that you jumped at once it was offered? Or was it a fight that you chased? How did it work?

It's a fight that jumped at when it was after because I need to get back. I need to do something dramatic and obviously I've never been scared of a challenge. Like my father used to say, everybody wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die. It took me 37 years to understand the meaning of it. Now you do. Yeah. I got nothing to lose. What have I got to lose?

Yeah. You know, this man, like I said, I never been compared to Jericho Quarry's, to Jericho or any one of those. Yeah. Legend of Journey, man, you know, he's been. I'm talking to Marvin Ali and Mike Tessing. So it's the most of the Tumor show. I'm just here to take part.

That's it. That's a great analogy. Listen, Dillian, thank you so much for your time. It's always a pleasure talking to you. So I'm going to leave Dillian outside in the marble hallway. There seems to be marble hallways all over Saudi. I'm going to wonder back inside. I know Nick Ball's in there somewhere sitting

and I want to have a chat with him. But this is Tarma and Dillian Whitefight. It's really dividing people. I mean, some people are absolutely. right in Dillian White off. Well, I can tell you, I've been around Dillion White for 15, 16 years, end of his amateur career and throughout his pro career. Ringside, when he fought most of the 12 top men, he's fought in his very long career. There've been ups, there have been downs, there's been some heartbreak, and there's been some

controversy. But I've never seen Dillian White in that type of shape. And it's not about the Scales. You heard what he said. I've not been on the scales. I've not looked at Scales. It's not about the scales. It's about how he feels. And I was showing a picture of him, and make sure I do this correctly. I was showing a picture of him, topless eating breakfast, and I've never seen his back sculpted like that, ever, ever. And I did a quick search of Dylan in the ring,

and his backs never looked like that. Dylan White's in the shape of his life. And that's for Moses Etama. I've been interviewing this kid for over two years. And I've never heard him so calm and so focused. And he couldn't take his eyes away from my eyes as he was talking to me. It is a main event, a real main event.

It's a main event that one man's going to go very fast one way and one man's going to be stuck somewhere trying to work out what happened. So that's the main event, heavy weights, of course, it's Saudi Arabia. Now, the co-main event is the WBA featherweight champion Nick Bull against Sam Goodman. Now, it's an intriguing fight, and it's a fight that's not quite getting the respect maybe it deserves. I can see Nick sit in with his family. I'm going to go and grab a word with Nick Ball.

Nick, this would be five world title fights in about, 15, 16 months. No one else is doing that. You do realize it's like not, it's not normal, don't you? You do realize that. To have that many world title fights in 14 months. No one else is doing it. Not really, no, but that's what I got in here for.

To become world champion and fight for world titles and stay active and that's the key in it, staying active. It is with you, isn't it? It's just that idea of activity that the millions you don't, we can't drift away for too long because you're back in the ring. Yeah, that's it. There's always something next. There's something coming.

So staying professional all year round and staying active, yeah. That's what it's all about. Does your body like that? Mine does. Yours does it because some people can put on, you know, you put on two stone, you've got to lose a stone and off or you can properly train. Yeah, but you don't have to do you?

Not really, no, but this is what we sign up for, so we know what we're getting ourselves in for. But it works for some people and it doesn't work for others, but it works for me to train and all. that so it's good. This week when I've been doing different bits of radio and different bits of writing it has finally occurred to me that you're Britain's only Mao world champion. That's the kind of thing that only used to happen in the 70s only one male world champion. Does that put you under a bit of pressure to think? Or just a bit of pride? Yeah, not really, no. The pressure's there, isn't it? It's always

there but it's what you do with it. But yeah, it's a good feeling at the same time. So it's not bad pressure. It's good pressure. And the one thing we're fighting on, it's a lot. And the one thing we're fighting, on a regular basis is that are you in better, you're in perfect Nick, you're in good Nick, but also you're ready through it. It's just like, it's just continuous, like, it's just continuous, just getting ready, have a little taper down,

get back in, get back in the ring. It's like momentum you've got is unbelievable. Yeah, that's the way in it, momentum. It is momentum, yeah. It's going. It's going fast and staying ready, as I said, and then each one is building on for the next one. So, it's a snowball effect. type of thing. How different is Nick Bull's life now than say it was in the summer of

2023? How different is it? It's a lot different. For one, I'm world champion. Yeah, for two. I get to them, you know, take the stress off, me, me family and people who have helped me get to this position, which means everything to me. So that's massive. That's also why I'm doing this for the people around me and the people who were started out with, yeah. And, um, So yeah, it's definitely different. Is that still your motivation, Nick? It's just this idea that you're changing your life and you're changing the ones that love and care for your life.

Yeah, well, it's deeper than boxing, in it? Yeah, much deeper. Obviously, as a kid, boxing's got nothing to do with it almost. Yeah. You've got all teaming to becoming world champion, and I've done that now. I've got something that everyone wants,

so they're going to try and come and take you from here, Andy. But it's not enough for grabs. Is there any more tension in you, you go into these fights than there was, say, a year ago, 18 months ago. I mean, do you feel a little bit more tension, or you're even calmer? You've always been fairly low-key and relaxed. What do you think you are? More calmer or a bit more edge?

What's your gut feeling? Yeah, I don't really know. Probably, I just take each day as it comes. I think it's probably karma. Probably calmer, yeah, because I've been in this position before, haven't I? It's not new to me, so it's just another day, isn't it? Just another day, having your fifth world title fight in 16 months like no one else is doing? Yeah, you could say it's just another day.

That's the one. Enjoy yourself, Nick. Nice one. So that was Nick Bowenside where it's nice and relaxed, but it's getting a bit crowded. He's sitting there with his family and friends. I've had to go outside because there's just literally no room in there. Philip Hergovich is over in one corner,

but I'm going to speak to David Adelae, who's fighting Philip Hergovic. Now, the last time you and I were together, day, we were ringside, we were relaxing, we were laughing and joking. You're doing co-coms for Five Live. You're still smiling now, but this is, this is a great fight. This is the type of fight that people say don't happen in boxing. A young enough guy taking on a seasoned enough guy with just that one loss. This is a terrific fight.

As a boxing fan, you understand this is a great fight. Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely is. And this is what we're in the sport for, right? You know, these big nights and I'm grateful and glad to be a part of it. And with Hergovich, you've seen him in the flesh, Hergovich, okay? You know enough about him. What's the big danger with Big Phil? Because I've got ideas about what makes Big Phil as the good fighter he is.

What do you see? I suppose, whatever else is, realistically, right? He's a good season fighter, you know, tough and durable as well, so, yeah. And Dave, you know this is what we call a catapult fight, but you win this, you know, you could have four more fights, five more fights before you fight a Philip Hergovich, but they wouldn't mean very much. This is like snakes and ladders fight.

This jumps you... Right. And that's where you want to be anyone. 110%. these are the sort of positions I want to be in. You know, these are the facts are going to come in 12, 80 months. Yeah.

But the opportunity came to me now and I accepted it now and I like it for myself. And was this a fight that you push for once it came, you would absolutely will take it? Yeah, exactly. I got a phone call. We was meant to fight somebody else.

They pulled out. I think he was meant to fight somebody else and they pulled out and his opponent. We were both three. Both said yes. You know what's happening in this boxing business in the moment in the last two and a bit years? Mostly since the Saudis came along

in October 23, a bill that you were on is that no head. heavyweight can afford not to take a fight that's offered. Because you don't know what's going to come next. You don't know what you might miss out on. The landscape moves very, very fast. You know, the landscape 12 months ago ain't what it is now. You know, so, yeah.

And who knows where it'll be in 12 months? Exactly. Depending on what Alexander Usick does. Exactly. What's your gut feeling? What do you think he would do? What's your gut feeling? I think he's going to send him to the sunset.

And the only reason I think that's because who left is there for him to box. Dros with Parker, but I'm pretty sure they're friends. So I don't really see him hanging around for any much longer, if I'm honest. Yeah. You're looking forward to this fight, though? Ah, mate. I'm just ready to go now. And you're in control of your heart. Yeah, all of that. In control of your.

I'm in control of me. I'm in control of me. Yeah, you are, this is not an insult. You were a new person to the man from a couple of years ago. 110%. I've grown tenfold. You know, um... You still got the edge?

110%. But you look just calmer, Dave. Is that fair comment? 110%, man. I'm a different man now. I think the world's going to see that on Saturday night. And final question. This top of the bill is dividing people.

Dillian White looks in the best shape of his life. I didn't recognize him. I mean, I genuinely didn't recognize him. And the Moses Atama, he's grown up. He's no longer a 19, you know, 19-year-old kid. How do you see that going, Dave? Or don't you talk about other fights? I'm not really focused on there, if I'm being honest.

But I think it can go either way. People thinking that Atama's going to go and blast him out. They're going to be in for a shock. So, yeah, we'll see. Listen, Dave, thanks so much for your time, so close to a fight. It's always a pleasure. Thanks, Dave. See you soon.

So that was David Adelaide. Just the cross sitting on. white luxury so far is Philip Hergovich, his opponent. Now, anyone that's listened to me on 5 Live before knows I've got a soft spot for Philip Hergovich. It's a known fact that I'm always very nice to Philip Hergovich because he always looks after me, no matter what fight he's been in, he always talks to me. Phil, first of all, great to talk to you again. David Adelae is not an easy fight for any heavyweight. Philip Hergevich is not an easy fight for any heavy weight, but you're fighting each other. That's good. Yeah, it's a good fight for both.

and looking forward to Saturday. And if you win, there's some kind of world title in the next six months, 12 months. Those belts have to become open. Hopefully, but in boxing, you never know what's going to happen. All belts now are in Usyk hands, and we'll see what he's going to do. Is he going to retire or continue to fight? Is he going to vacate some belts? So we'll see.

You never know. But yeah, I hope so. Hopefully I'll win on Saturday and then I'm in a mix for a big fight or a world title shot. Which you deserve. And finally then, were you surprised at the Usek Dubois fight? Did that surprise you the outcome? Yeah, I thought Dubois will put a little bit more, a little bit better fight that's going to make him some problems.

But he was just outclass from the first round. was knocked out, cold. So, yeah, I thought he was going to put better performance. And finally, David, Philip, and I really appreciate your time. What does David Adelae bring to the ring? What is David Adelae particularly good at? I don't know. We'll see on Saturday.

I never fought him. I never sparked him. That's rare, isn't it, at the moment? Because generally you guys have been in the ring with each other. You've been somewhere in camp over the last 15 years, and you've never, never spotted him. Yeah, we met in camp one time, a few times in Miami. but we never sparred, so we'll see on Saturday. So that's Philip Hergovich fighting David Adelaide.

Now, this card, let's tell the truth, it isn't the best card we've ever seen in Saudi Arabia. But there's something about the three fights, especially the main event. It's just got something about it. It's got intrigue, it's got risk, it's got unknown factors, it's got known factors. It's got a little bit of, not hate, but just a little bit.

You sensed it in both the way Moses was talking so calmly, and in the way, Dillian was looking at me as he was talking. Well-tied-a-fight, Nick Bull always delivers, and Hurgievich and Adelaide, that is my type of fight. Now, tomorrow on the pod we'll be talking to the two promoters, or two of the promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Ron, and the fights themselves will be live on Five Live on Saturday night. Will Moses Itama do what just about everybody thinks he can do

and walk through Dillian White? I'm not sure I've ever known such a fight, where such a good fighter has just been absolutely dismissed. I'm Steve Bunce and this is Five Live Boxing. We are back with the Fantasy 606 podcast. Whoa, well, Chris, I've got to stop you there. We have changed our name this season to the FPL podcast from BBC Sports. All you need to do is search for FPL.

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