Ricky Hatton has weighed in on what Moses Itauma should do next and whether or not that includes four-belt champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Itauma impressed yet again this month when he blew out former world title challenger Dillian Whyte inside one round. Talk immediately turned to where he goes next, with some big names in the business saying he was ready to take on Ukraine’s Usyk, who recently became undisputed in the division for a second time with a stoppage win over Daniel Dubois.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the win, British boxing legend Hatton urged Itauma’s team to ‘hold fire’ when pursuing undisputed king Usyk, assessing the heavyweight landscape and saying there is no need at this stage.
“I think they might have stepped him up a bit too quick. It was a very experienced performance, way beyond his years.
“They’re talking about Usyk next, woah, let’s just hold fire there just a little bit.
“Usyk will only have a couple [more fights]. If you look at the heavyweights coming through, it’s wide open for Itauma and I think he can clear up.”
Hatton then suggested a much more cautious approach to Itauma’s path, floating two British names – though the higher rather of the two, Fabio Wardley, shared the same trainer as the young gun.
“Fabio Wardley or Frazer Clarke, which are good domestic fights.
“Fighting domestic fights to get your fanbase rising. He has got his fanbase rising all the time, but I think that’s what I’d do.
“Hold fire with Usyk because he’s going to get even better, so why fight him now? Get a bit better and then fight him.”
Itauma is expected back out in December, with the likes of Kubrat Pulev and Filip Hrgovic touted to fill the opposite corner.
