Exciting young heavyweight star Moses Itauma has called out generational great Oleksandr Usyk, and Tony Bellew has some advice ahead of the potential matchup.
Bellew is a hugely-experienced former cruiserweight world champion who came up through the levels, and three different weight classes, fighting both in the UK and abroad, as well as on huge Pay-Per-View shows.
In contrast, Itauma is still just 20-years-old and has not yet been past six rounds. He has knocked out 11 of his 13 opponents, and nine of the fights have been done inside the first two rounds.
Last time out in his first major headline show, he stopped Dillian Whyte inside the first two minutes of round one in what was his career-best performance. In the ring afterwards, the British-Slovenian talent called out two-time undisputed champion Usyk, though not many people believe he is ready for that step up yet.
Speaking to SportingTalk, Bellew explained why it is so important for Itauma to gain more experience before taking on the Ukrainian legend.
“He cannot under any circumstances go into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk not being past six rounds. That cannot happen. Its not about the stamina and the engine its more about the though process and gaining that experience of being there and doing it. It’s like going into your first 12 rounder. No matter how fit you are, it’s in the back of your mind.”
Itauma has also been linked to former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, but for now seems more likely to continue his learning journey with a fight against another option.
