Moses Itauma’s coaching staff would settle for a battle with Oleksandr Usyk, even at this early stage of the younger heavyweight’s profession.
Usyk is the reigning undisputed champion of the division and clearly considered as the most effective heavyweight of this era, whereas Itauma, nonetheless simply 20 years, has solely had 13 skilled bouts.
However with a excessive world rating, and coming off a shocking knockout victory over former world title challenger Dillian Whyte, Itauma is already a contender within the division with an ever-increasing profile.
Usyk re-unified the heavyweight world titles when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in July. The nice Ukrainian is not anticipated to return to motion till 2026, and Itauma has been rising swiftly by the ranks.
Ben Davison, Itauma’s coach, would not maintain the younger fighter again from difficult Usyk. Actually he’d advise Itauma to go for that battle.
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British boxing legend Lennox Lewis believes Moses Itauma just isn’t able to problem for world titles and may wait till Oleksandr Usyk retires earlier than stepping up
“I would take it,” Davison informed Sky Sports activities. “I might. I believe it is a win-win. As a lot as Moses hasn’t boxed anyone like Usyk, I do not suppose Usyk’s boxed anyone like Moses. I believe he would overtly say that himself.
“It’s something he [Itauma] would be up for. I think he’s got the mindset: if you’re taking a dive [into the deep end] you might as well take the dive. Hopefully we may end up in a world title fight.”
Itauma is trying to field earlier than 2025 is out, however discovering opponents who will give the electrical prospect rounds is proving a problem. Seasoned veterans, like Jermaine Franklin or Filip Hrgovic, would match the invoice.
“Those are the two on everybody’s lips. They’re not interested and it’s the same for pretty much all of them, so it’s difficult,” Davison mentioned.
“It’s difficult to get these opponents at this moment in time. They’re not interested, they don’t want to play ball.
“They only need a lot cash to field him it is exhausting to get the opponents. The following battle, if we are able to pull one thing off and get someone like that we’re all for that. That is what we’re after, the identical as everyone else.
“But if not I suppose we’ll have to drop down a level and try again in the new year maybe.”
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Highlights of Moses Itauma’s spectacular victory towards Dillian Whyte in Riyadh. Protection courtesy of DAZN and Queensberry Promotions
If Usyk is to stay undisputed, he must battle the Joseph Parker versus Fabio Wardley winner subsequent, a compulsory defence of the WBO belt.
But it surely’s additionally attainable that these 4 world title belts will fragment and turn into vacant. Subsequent yr Itauma and Anthony Joshua, whom Davison additionally trains, might find yourself being in separate world championship fights.
“It’s a real possibility,” Davison mentioned. “[Depends on] Usyk, if he decides to keep hold of one, if any, [of the belts]. Definitely interesting times.
“The heavyweight division’s on fireplace.”
He doesn’t though envision Itauma and Joshua fighting each other. “That will not occur,” Davison said. “There’s a whole lot of respect there.
“I don’t think it’s necessary.”
