Teddy Atlas has weighed in on the debate about Moses Itauma’s chances against Oleksandr Usyk.
Itauma is just 20 years old but is already making big moves in the division. He has won all 13 of his contests so far, 11 by KO, and nine of them inside the first two rounds. Last time out, he put on another clinical display when he beat former world title challenger Dillian Whyte inside the first round, which is something no man has ever done before.
As such, the challenge going forward will be to match Itauma as he continues his journey towards a world title.
Some in the sport, including the man himself, already think it is time for him to step in with generational great, fellow southpaw and unbeaten Ukrainian Usyk.
Speaking on his own ‘The Fight’ podcast, Atlas advised Itauma to get some more experience before stepping in with the two-time undisputed legend and said he would never ‘go against’ the Ukrainian to come out victorious.
“I would wait on a Uysk fight. I know that Turki Al-Sheikh is talking about that and that might come to pass, but for me, if I’m with Moses, I’m saying let him get one or two more fights before we go to the top of Mount Everest. Let’s climb a couple more peaks, and then we’re ready for the ultimate.
I don’t want to see the Usyk fight. And I’m very honest about the reasons why. I want to see Usyk go off into the sunset. I’m not saying he can’t beat him, I’m not saying that, I won’t go against Usyk with anybody, he’s that special, but I think at this point in his career, after Usyk gets through his next fight, let him go off into the sunset.”
Tyson Fury is one man who already thinks that Itauma has enough to beat Usyk, despite no other man, including Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, being able to provide the blueprint.
