Unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk Tips Itauma To Rule Heavyweight Division

Ukrainian boxer, Oleksandr Usyk, has backed Moses Itauma as the man to dominate heavyweight boxing after his reign, brushing aside more established contenders such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois.

Oleksandr Usyk, unbeaten in 24 professional fights, predicted during an interview with talkSPORT that he sees Itauma as the next undisputed heavyweight champion.

“Moses Itauma, I think, is a great fighter. Young. 20 years old. I think Itauma has a big future,” he said.

The endorsement is significant given Usyk’s recent dominance of the division. The 38-year-old has beaten Joshua, Fury and Dubois twice across his last six bouts to cement his place at the top of heavyweight boxing.

Itauma, 21, has rapidly emerged as one of the sport’s brightest young talents. The British-Nigerian southpaw remains unbeaten in 14 professional fights, recording 12 knockouts along the way.

His growing reputation soared further in March when he stopped Jermaine Franklin Jr at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, becoming the first boxer to defeat the American inside the distance.

The Kent-based fighter currently holds the WBA international and WBO intercontinental heavyweight titles. He is also the WBO mandatory challenger and ranked number one by the WBA.

Usyk is not alone in his admiration for Itauma. Fury, who shared sparring sessions with him in 2024 while the youngster was still a teenager, posted on Instagram: “Moses Itauma is the future of the heavyweight division.”

Promoter Frank Warren has also spoken glowingly about the heavyweight prospect, though he insists expectations must be carefully managed.

“I have to be very, very honest with you, I’ve had a lot of young, really good, talented young fighters at an early age. And as a heavyweight at his age, he’s 21 now, he is without a doubt the most talented and the best I’ve seen at this moment in time,” Warren told DAZN in March.

“I think he’s unbelievable for his age. And I look at all the other heavyweights, how many of them turn pro in their teens? Tyson and Daniel Dubois. But other than that, not a lot.”

Itauma is expected to headline the O2 Arena in London on August 8, with talks ongoing over a possible clash against Filip Hrgovic, who stopped Dave Allen inside three rounds last weekend.