Itauma Sounds Alarm: “Whyte Playing the Innocent Sheep to Trap the Dangerous Wolf”
Moses Itauma accused Dillian Whyte of “playing a sheep to catch the wolf” as he questioned his opponent’s respectful approach before Saturday’s heavyweight fight in Saudi Arabia.
At a cordial news conference in Riyadh, the Britons exchanged pleasantries, thumbs-ups and handshakes.
Veteran Whyte described the unbeaten Itauma, 20, as the future of heavyweight boxing and has been complimentary throughout fight week.
Speaking to BBC Sport on Monday, the 37-year-old said there was no weakness in his younger opponent’s game.
But Itauma’s reference to the wolf and sheep metaphor highlights a strategy where the “sheep” – a seemingly weaker or harmless player – pretends to be vulnerable in order to catch the stronger and more aggressive “wolf” off guard.
“We’re all heavyweights – any fight can end at any point. I’m not delusional,” said Itauma.
“I know what threat Dillian Whyte poses, I’m not overlooking him, I’m taking him seriously.”
Whyte was quick to dismiss the idea, though, as he insisted: “Ain’t no sheeps around here. A lot of wolves, but no sheeps.”
