Such is the relentless pursuit of the next breaking news story to analyse, Moses Itauma didn't even have time to celebrate or let this achievement sink in before being asked what was next after a first-round finish of two-time former interim world champion Dillian Whyte.

His latest destructive display had virtually retired someone he grew up watching, a celebrated figure in British boxing, and that wasn't enough. So the 20-year-old teased, then graciously sidestepped a prospective matchup with undisputed titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.

Instead, the WBO's No. 1-ranked contender called for a matchup with one of the elite names all chasing the unbeaten Ukrainian's throne atop the sport's glamour division.

A matchup against the sanctioning body's interim champion Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) is naturally of interest, especially knowing that bout could very well be for a vacant title should Usyk again decide to relinquish one — or more — of the belts he holds after requesting an extension to his mandated title defence with an undisclosed injury earlier this week.

He named another unbeaten contender in WBC interim beltholder Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs) as an option during a flash post-fight interview with BBC, again insisting he didn't "deserve the opportunity" right now for a shot at Usyk's crown.

During the build up to their Saudi headliner, Itauma's manager Francis Warren said Otto Wallin, Zhilei Zhang and David Adeleye's latest conqueror Filip Hrgovic would be getting a look over the next year before stepping up to the very top players.

Sweden's Wallin (27-3, 15 KOs) has alternated wins and losses in his last four and all three defeats have come against British opposition: Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora on February 8.

Former WBO interim champion Zhang (27-3-1, 22 KOs) is 3-3 in his last six appearances, which include defeats by Parker and more recently Kabayel — having floored both men — though at 42, the towering southpaw is declining.

Hrgovic, who inflicted Zhang's first defeat three years ago this month, saw his own invincibility cloak disappear as Daniel Dubois weathered an early storm to force a doctor stoppage eight rounds into their IBF interim title bout last year.

The Croatian openly warned Itauma's handlers against matching him too quickly given his inexperience, and while a fair sentiment the youngster has since garnered favourable top-10 rankings "El Animal" would happily look to seize.

Parker's head coach Andy Lee joked there wasn't much to scout when asked whether he was looking at potential holes or gaps from Itauma to exploit.

In his analyst role on the DAZN broadcast, he said: "All you can do is take your hat off and say well done on a phenomenal performance. From the start, it wasn't easy for him, waiting a long time and he could've been caught cold or had a few doubts in the mind but he handled it perfectly and did his job."

"Whyte was looking to ride it out [a first-round storm] but just never recovered from the first punch and you'll see from the beginning, it's because of the feints."

On what's next for Parker, he was predictably bullish about the Kiwi maintaining a willingness to fight anyone, provided it made sense for his career, if Usyk wasn't next.

"Joe has shown and history shows, he'll fight anybody. He wouldn't say no to Moses, if the [WBO] title was on the line, you could easily see Parker-Itauma for a vacant title."

With Queensberry chief Frank Warren alongside him at this stage, the Irishman was asked what he would do if he was in charge of masterminding Itauma's next steps.

"He's so young and talented but going through these guys like a knife through butter. Once you step up to that level, you open a door you can't return from. It's not like he's not ready for it but for a fighter's development, maybe you should stay below that. I've always said Itauma dictates the pace you move [him] at, he has all the talent in the world.

"Maybe a little more experience but it's about the risk-reward for him isn't it? Heavyweights are different. Usually losses are by knockout and sometimes a young fighter might not come back the same. One bad mistake and move can cost you your career — it's a risky game — but no one is better at building and guiding fighters than Frank, so he's in good hands."