Usyk has no reason to fight me – Itauma

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Moses Itauma has told talkSPORT he expects to be denied a shot at Oleksandr Usyk before the boxing legend retires.

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The unbeaten 21-year-old is on the cusp of a world title shot, having racked up a perfect 14-0 record with 12 knockouts.

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Itauma gained worldwide recognition for blasting out the Body Snatcher in the opening round of their Saudi Arabia contest in August 2025.

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He then sent shockwaves across the pond when he dispatched American foe Franklin in the fifth round in March, becoming the first fighter to stop him — something Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte both failed to do.

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Although he has been leapfrogged in the WBC rankings by Tyson Fury, Itauma is set to face a big name when he returns to the ring later this year.

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Scheduled to lace up his gloves on August 8 in London, the hard-hitting Kent youngster was ringside at the Co-op Live in Manchester to watch the brutal WBO world title clash between compatriots Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois.

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Defending champion Wardley dropped former IBF king Dubois in both the first and third rounds but was ultimately stopped in the 11th round by Dubois after referee Howard Foster stepped in to end the bloodbath.

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Speaking to talkSPORT’s Gareth A Davies ahead of the contest, Itauma was asked whether he believes he will face WBA, WBC and IBF champion Usyk before the unbeaten 39-year-old Ukrainian hangs up his gloves.

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Usyk — an undisputed world champion at both heavyweight and cruiserweight — is looking to improve to 25-0 when he defends his WBC belt against iconic kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23.

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Commenting on the possibility of facing “The Cat”, Itauma said, “I don’t think it would happen.

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“But I would love it to happen.”

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Asked whether he would want to fight Usyk in what could be a passing-of-the-torch encounter, Itauma replied, “100 per cent.

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“If I get the opportunity, of course I would fight him, but I just don’t think it will happen.”

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“There’s no reason for him to fight me.”

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While Itauma is ranked third in the WBC rankings, he is also number one with the WBA and number five with the IBF.

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But his first crack at a world title could come against newly crowned WBA champion Dubois, with Itauma currently the top contender in the rankings.

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Promoter Frank Warren, however, revealed after Saturday night’s fight that there is a rematch clause in the contract.

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Although Itauma stated ringside that he would jump at the chance to fight Dubois, talkSPORT’s boxing panel insisted he is not yet at the level required to beat the Londoner.

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