Frank Warren and the team at Queensberry Promotions look set for a busy few days as they try to secure opponents for two of Britain's most high-rofile heavyweights.
Earlier this week, the ever popular
Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) took to instagram and announced that his 50th - and apparently final -
professional fight will take place on Queensberry's December 13 show, which will take place at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena.
Unbeaten heavyweight star
Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) is at the opposite end of his career to Chisora. The outstanding 20-year-old prospect is scheduled to headline the event as he looks to build experience and work his way towards a 2026 title shot.
On Thursday, Warren appeared on talkSPORT, confirming that plans are in place for Chisora to appear on the show but had a very good reason for not revealing who he will fight.
"I don't know yet," the Hall of Fame promoter said.
"It's something we've got to sort out. We've got quite a way to go yet before we officially announce that. We've got some great cards coming up but I just can't give you any information on that at the moment because we were looking at an opponent but that opponent is no longer available so we've got to fish round and hunt for a new one."
Warren did rule out former WBC heavyweight champion
Deontay Wilder and the injured former IBF titleholder
Daniel Dubois as potential opponents for the mercurial Chisora.
However, the fact the 41-year-old is ranked No. 2 by the IBF should tempt somebody to take the chance. Finding somebody to step into the ring with Itauma could be an altogether more complicated, expensive problem.
In August, the southpaw passed what was supposed to be his most serious test with flying colours by
blowing away the experienced Dillian Whyte inside a round.
Despite never venturing beyond six rounds, Itauma is ranked inside the top five by all four sanctioning bodies and been
upgraded to The Ring's No. 9-rated contender this month.
The race is on to ensure that when his inevitable title shot does arrive, he is well prepared enough to take it. Fighting Itauma has quickly become one of the most difficult, dangerous tasks in heavyweight boxing, one some prospective opponents aren't interested in tackling.
"You do get that from some of them and then the other way of saying 'no thanks' is to ask for crazy money which doesn't make it economically viable," Warren said.
"There are people obviously who do want to fight him and we're talking to a couple at the moment. We've delivered for him as of yet and we will deliver for him at the end of the year."