Oleksandr Usyk is biding his time before picking his final few opponents inside the squared circle.
The Ukrainian great has achieved all there is to achieve in the sport, recently becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight ruler after conquering the cruiserweight ranks.
He achieved that with a perfect record by twice beating Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, so there can be no doubt on his supremacy in the current era. In fact, many rate him as one of the best to ever do it.
His next fight could be a mandatory defence of his WBO belt against the winner of the Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley showdown on October 25, or he may opt to vacate at least one of his four belts in favour for something with a higher profile. Usyk has been tight lipped on who he is targeting, but recently ruled out one man.
Speaking to UNN, he said he will not face the exciting young contender, Moses Itauma.
“[Fight] With Itauma? I won’t fight him. He’s young. He’s still pushing me. And he said he doesn’t hit old men.”
Itauma is just 20 years old and has won all 13 of his contests, 11 by knockout. Last time out he stopped tough veteran Dillian Whyte inside two minutes. Hs was recently ordered to face another old warhorse in WBA Regular Champion Kubrat Pulev, but the Bulgarian has instead opted to defend against Murat Gassiev.
Itauma had hoped to become the youngest ever world champion, and while that is no longer possible, he is still on a hugely impressive run, though he will be disappointed to hear this from Usyk having previously said he was ready to fight.
