Moses Itauma’s opponent for December 13 in Manchester could be finalised this week but it will not be Derek Chisora, despite the fight being 'explored'.

Promoter Frank Warren confirmed last month that the 20-year-old sensation will headline Co-op Live Arena, Manchester in Queensberry's major pre-Christmas show.

They have been working hard on securing Itauma a top-level opponent after he crushed Dillian Whyte inside two minutes of his last outing.

Meanwhile Derek Chisora uploaded a video to his social media revealing that he will also be part of the Dec. 13 show, prompting suggestions the 41-year-old’s 50th fight might be against Itauma.

But, during an interview with The Ring, the duo’s promoter Warren ruled out the chances of them facing each other that night but confirmed that it had emerged as an option.

“There’s no chance as it stands,” Warren said. “It was explored, yes, but there were no legs in it. In an ideal world we want them both to box on that night.”

Warren remained tight-lipped on the plans for the show, insisting that Queensberry are working hard for the event to be rubber-stamped this week after their initial plans ‘fell apart’.

He added: “We want that one to be finalised this week. We want to get it done.

“We thought we had it done. What we were working on sort of fell apart but we are back to work on it. We will see what happens.”

Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) is currently The Ring’s No.9 ranked heavyweight and is in the top five with all four major sanctioning bodies as a result of his success over the first two and a half years of his professional career.

But while things have been going to plan inside the ring, trying to lure credible opponents into a fight with him has not been so simple.

There have been few contenders willing to risk their position against a young puncher who has not been extended beyond two rounds in his previous nine fights.

“Never in all my time in boxing have I had difficulty matching a 20-year-old,” Warren said. “Ever.

“But it’s because of where we are with the heavyweight scene at the moment; Oleksandr Usyk holds all four belts and nobody is sure what he’s going to do.

“Is he going to defend? Is he going to vacate? Everyone is jostling for position so we are trying to make the right matches for Moses at the right time. I had one manager asking for $3.5 million for the fight, which is totally nuts. What planet are these people on?

“But Moses will get his time and if he wins a world title then they will be queuing up to fight him. That’s how it works and I’d rather it be my problem than somebody else’s.”