Itauma is scheduled to face Filip Hrgovic on August 29 at The O2 in London. If the unbeaten British heavyweight gets past the experienced Croatian, attention is expected to turn to the next step in his push toward a world title.

Nelson believes that step should not be WBA heavyweight champion Gassiev the 21-year-old Itauma should fight right now.

“Gassiev is a good fighter,” Nelson told talkSPORT Boxing. “He boxed [Oleksandr] Usyk and caused him problems. He is a clever guy. I wouldn’t go there yet.”

When asked who he would rather see Itauma face instead, Nelson gave a simple answer.

“Sanchez.”

Sanchez earned his position as the IBF mandatory challenger by stopping Richard Torrez Jr. in two rounds in May, while Gassiev strengthened his own standing with a sixth-round knockout of Peter Kadiru on Saturday in Moscow. Both have emerged as potential opponents should Itauma defeat Hrgovic.

Despite speculation over his future, Itauma’s immediate focus remains the August showdown with Hrgovic. His team has dismissed suggestions that he could sidestep that fight, leaving any discussion about Gassiev or Sanchez on hold until after what is expected to be the toughest test of his professional career.