Itauma vs Whyte: Full Card Preview, Picks & What to Watch Hype Meets Hazard in Riyadh

Here we go. A teenage phenom with jet-fuel hype, a street-tough veteran who still swings with bad intentions, and a card stacked with meaningful crossroads fights. Riyadh gets the smoke. We will run down the undercard, how to watch and dive into some details and predictions.

How to Watch

• Date: Sat., Aug 16, 2025
• Venue: ANB Arena — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Broadcast: DAZN (PPV)

Estimated times

• Undercard: 5:45 pm BST (12:45 pm ET / 9:45 am PT)
• Main event ring walks: ~9:20 pm UTC (10:20 pm BST / 5:20 pm ET / 2:20 pm PT)

Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte — Heavyweight Main Event

The story: Itauma (12-0, 10 KO), 20 years old and already being whispered about in “next big thing” tones, takes his first bona fide veteran test in Dillian Whyte (31-3, 21 KO). Whyte’s prime is behind him, but the hands are still heavy and the ring craft is real—exactly the kind of assignment that exposes hype or hardens it.

Tactics:

• Itauma: fast starts, quick triggers, sharp counters. Needs to manage his pace and show layers past Round 6.
• Whyte: survive the early storm, maul in the clinch, change the temperature with the left hook once the kid settles.

Pick: Itauma’s speed should separate the levels, but he’ll get tagged and learn from it. Itauma TKO-8.

Raymond Ford vs Abraham Nova — Super Featherweight

The story: Ford (17-1-1, 8 KO) was lined up for Anthony Cacace; instead he gets short-notice Abraham Nova (24-3-1, 17 KO). Nova’s a tricky, willing B-side who’s mixed at world level but hasn’t cracked it.

Why it matters: Ford’s move to 130 looks legit—he’s been banking clean rounds and showing command. Nova brings some pop and savvy, but stylistically he doesn’t present the kind of puzzle that’s troubled Ford.

Pick: Ford pulls gears as the rounds stack. Ford TKO-8.

Filip Hrgovic vs David Adeleye — Heavyweight

The story: Hrgovic (18-1, 14 KO) has had chances to punch through the ceiling but drifts in stretches; Adeleye (14-1, 13 KO) is loud, live, and coming off a confidence run.

Swing factors: If Hrgovic stays switched on behind the jab, he’s the better boxer. If he naps—even for a minute—Adeleye’s right hand can flip the table.

Pick: Gut says better boxer; memory says Hrgovic zones out. Riding the peril: Adeleye TKO-9 (live underdog).

Nick Ball vs Sam Goodman — Featherweight Title

The story: Nick Ball (22-0-1, 13 KO) is a compact wrecking ball—one speed, one style, all mean. Sam Goodman (20-0, 8 KO) is clean and disciplined, moving up with momentum.

Key question: Can someone finally box Ball into frustration for long enough? Goodman’s tidy, but Ball’s pressure and sturdiness usually win the trench war.

Pick: Best test of the reign so far; still see Ball imposing late. Ball UD (116–112).

🗣️ MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

• The matchmaking is smart. Itauma gets a name who can hurt him but shouldn’t outlast him—perfect calibration for a 20-year-old.
• Hrgovic is at a career inflection point. One more flat spot and the “next guy” label becomes a memory.
• Ford needs a statement. With Cacace out, a stoppage restores the buzz at 130.
• Ball’s ceiling clarity. If Goodman nicks pockets of the fight, we’ll learn whether Ball can make adjustments above Plan A.