Ought to Moses Itauma pursue a battle with undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk now — or wait till the Ukrainian retires?
It was an unthinkable query at first of 2025, when the unbeaten Itauma was simply 11 fights into his profession and coming off an attention grabbing first-round win over former Filip Hrgovic opponent Demsey McKean.
Quick ahead 11 months and Itauma is now 13-0 (11 KOs), the WBA’s primary contender, and in August he dispatched former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in lower than three minutes. At simply 20 years outdated, the Slovakian-born Brit has the world at his toes.
Some observers consider he’s already prepared for somebody of Usyk’s elite calibre, whereas others urge warning. Amongst them is all-time nice Lennox Lewis, the previous undisputed heavyweight champion, who shared his recommendation with Sky Sports activities.
“Approach too quickly. It’s higher to attend. Wait till he retires. He’s not going to remain round too lengthy. I’m speaking Oleksandr Usyk, after which take your shot. There’s no use doing it proper now.
“Proper now you’re studying –– you’re studying every part and it’s a must to wait till the fitting time. You may by no means be rushed. When you rush you’re going to do a nasty end result to your profession. So it’s higher to take your time and take it when it’s there, when it’s prepared, once you’re prepared.”
Usyk, 38, is predicted to return in 2026, with Itauma’s gym-mate Fabio Wardley a possible opponent after his current victory over Joseph Parker of their titanic tussle earlier this month.
