Team Usyk Downplay Itauma Fight

Following his first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte, Moses Itauma called out undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, whose team has responded.

Itauma, who extended his record to 13-0 with 11 knockouts, secured the biggest win of his resume. While Whyte is at the latter end of his career, he is the former WBC Interim Heavyweight Champion, who has been in the ring with some of the biggest names such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. The Saudis have expressed their desire to make the fight, with Usyk expected to retire after his next bout. Naturally, the attention has turned towards the Ukrainian’s next move, as he previously praised Itauma. Usyk’s manager, Sergey Lapin, though felt Moses had plenty of other fights to keep himself occupied

“I think this is not good for Moses. A nice last fight [against Whyte], but Moses needs more fights against top guys. Maybe Kabayel, maybe Parker. Moses has more options for fights. His first big opponent was Dillian. We have Fabio Wardley, we have Bakhodir Jalolov. Lots of guys,” Lapin said 

The Implications

By targeting Usyk, Itauma instantly elevates himself from a rising prospect to a legitimate threat. The timing of the call-out is also critical. The boxing world is well aware that Usyk is nearing the end of his career and has publicly stated his desire to retire after his next fight. This creates a unique window of opportunity for any fighter who wants a shot at the undisputed crown. 

Finally, the call-out is perfect for his brand. The Saudis have demonstrated a clear preference for big, headline-grabbing fights. They are also known to be fans of Moses Itauma. By publicly calling out Usyk, Itauma is not only catering to the promoters’ desires but also potentially leapfrogging other deserving contenders. For example, while Joseph Parker or Agit Kabayel may be seen as more deserving from a traditional boxing standpoint, a young, explosive talent like Itauma generates more excitement and better ticket sales.