There has been growing demand for a showdown between heavyweight boxing’s top prospect, Moses Itauma, and its dominant veteran champion, Oleksandr Usyk. After facing the 21-year-old sensation last year, Dillian Whyte has revealed whether he thinks the youngster could topple Usyk and claim the throne.
Moses Itauma has set the heavyweight scene alight during his short time as a professional, having strung together nine straight knockouts inside of two rounds during his rise into position as the number one contender with both the WBO and WBA.
Itauma has said he would relish a major step up to challenge for Usyk’s unified world titles. However, while the Brit appears keen, 39-year-old Usyk is uninterested in providing him with that opportunity, claiming that he does not wish to face Itauma as he doesn’t want to ‘break him’.
In an interview with iFL TV, Dillian Whyte, who was halted inside a round when he collided with Itauma last year, explained that he believes Usyk’s words were an attempt to get inside the head of his possible opponent.
“I think that Usyk done the right thing. He has just let him know, it’s psychological. He has let him know that ‘you better sit your a** down because I got a belt for your a**, don’t get above your station’.
“Moses is good but Usyk is seasoned – and he is a good southpaw.”
Should the fight take place, Whyte went on to state that he expects Usyk’s superior experience to be key, but refused to rule out an upset win.
“It’s definitely too soon [for Itauma to fight Usyk], Usyk is too seasoned. Usyk has been 12 rounds a lot of times and beaten so many good guys and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down, but you never know, Moses is young and age is definitely a factor in this game.
“He is young and he has got self belief, so you never know.”
Itauma fights Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, looking to extend his knockout streak and further convince the world that he is the future of the heavyweight division.
When Whyte faced Franklin, the American went the distance in defeat – as he also did against Anthony Joshua – so Itauma becoming the first man to stop the durable heavyweight would be a clear statement.