Armed with several highlight-reel finishes, there has been an increased desire to see Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) come up against the division's big guns so his world title credentials can be stress-tested.

Not everyone wants to see it play out that way.

Anber, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last week for his services to the sport, told The Ring: "He's a hell of a special prospect. There are just certain guys you look at and know they'll be there a long time winning a lot of fights.

When asked to assess his March 28 performance in a fifth-round knockout of Jermaine Franklin, the Canadian cutman and trainer, who works with Oleksandr Usyk and Artur Beterbiev, insisted the 21-year-old is still learning on the job.

"He got a little over excited early because it's happened so often ... blasting guys out and understandably wanted to do it again," he said. "As soon as he realized Frankln has some veteran savvy, Moses settled down and proved what younger fighters need to learn: don't go looking for it [the knockout], just execute technique properly and it will work. Landed a peach of an uppercut to drop him, learned from that experience, just let your skills and technique take over."

A series of opponents were named as possibilities for Itauma's next fight, though Hrgovic echoed a long-held belief, telling The Ring that the Chatham puncher still hasn't been tested.

Queensberry have been careful in matching him since debuting with the first of eight first-round knockouts on the Anthony Yarde-Artur Beterbiev undercard in January 2023.

Many are hailing Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) as the ultimate acid test, especially given the Croatian's pedigree and his only loss being against current WBO champion Daniel Dubois two years ago. The pair will clash August 29 at London's O2 Arena.

"Regardless of how good you think he is, don't skip any steps," Anber said when asked what should be next for The Ring's No. 6-rated heavyweight contender.

"Trust the process, even if it takes a little while to get to where you wanna be, because that seasoning will help you last longer at the top."