Usyk names Moses Itauma as the future heavyweight champion

Oleksandr Usyk has picked Moses Itauma as the next big star in the heavyweight boxing scene. He ignored big names like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois when asked who could take his place as the undisputed champion, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

This endorsement is a big deal coming from someone who has beaten all three heavyweights twice in his last six fights. Usyk has an unbeaten record with 24 wins.

When talkSPORT asked him about who he thinks will be the next undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk answered without thinking.

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

The 21-year-old British-Nigerian fighter backs up Usyk's claim. Itauma has not lost in 14 professional fights, with 12 wins by knockout. He made history by being the first to stop the tough Jermaine Franklin Jr at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester last March. He currently holds the WBA international and WBO intercontinental heavyweight titles. He is also the WBO mandatory challenger and number one with the WBA.

Usyk is not the only heavyweight legend who sees something special in Itauma. Tyson Fury, who trained with him in 2024 when Itauma was still a teenager, shared on Instagram, “Moses Itauma is the future of the heavyweight division.”

Promoter Frank Warren, while careful not to raise expectations too high, has not hidden his belief that Itauma is truly unique.

“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.

“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,” Warren told DAZN in March.

Itauma is set to headline the O2 Arena in London on August 8. Talks are ongoing for a fight against Filip Hrgovic, who knocked out Dave Allen in three rounds last weekend.