FRANK WARREN still backs Moses Itauma to fight Oleksandr Usyk – even if the feeling is not reciprocated.
Usyk has vacated the undisputed heavyweight world title belts over the past year as he looks to cash out on his career with one final farewell fight.
Moses Itauma with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren Credit: Getty
Oleksandr Usyk has talked down fighting Itauma Credit: Getty
American former WBC champion Deontay Wilder is the man the Ukrainian wants to close out his career against.
And he certainly does not seem open to the idea of a passing of the torch bout against Britain’s 21-year-old prodigy Itauma.
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Usyk claimed he would “break” the momentum of Itauma’s young career – which sees him challenge Filip Hrgovic on Saturday for the vacant IBF title.
Warren already matched the pair up before Usyk’s belt became up for grabs – but the promoter says he would have put Itauma in there with ANY opponent.
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Itauma studying Art of War as he prepares to commence title battle with Hrgovic
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That includes two-weight undisputed champ Usyk, as Warren said on JattvibeSport’s Corner Talk podcast: “I would have done.
“I feel he has the beating of the majority of them out there, I’d be very confident. I would have the confidence to put him in with Usyk.
“And I know that’s a bold statement, and I don’t really make statements like that about my fighters, fighters I’m involved with.
“I always, especially when they’re young, I take it more cautiously. But I really do believe in him. I believe he’s an unbelievable, unique fighter.
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Now fans are looking forward to Moses Itauma’s return for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August.
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“And I think he has the beating of nearly everybody there. And I’ll tell you who agrees with me on that, is Usyk himself.”
Usyk, 39, came from behind to controversially stop kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven, 37, with ONE SECOND left of round 11 in May.
And now the 2012 Olympic gold medalist is negotiating his final fight.
Itauma, 21, meanwhile challenges Hrgovic, 34, for the IBF belt that Usyk relinquished in June.
It sets up a potentially crowning night for the Chatham sensation and the mark of a new era for British boxing.
Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – all the info
Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic face off for the IBF heavyweight world title
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Moses Itauma or Filip Hrgovic will be crowned IBF heavyweight champ THIS SATURDAY!
Itauma, 21, has been shaking up the division since securing back-to-back round 1 knockouts in 2023.
Three years later, the Brit star continues to put opponents on the canvas, all while staying undefeated.
And this weekend, Itauma can become the youngest British heavyweight champion of all time if he overcomes Hrgovic at the O2 Arena.
WATCH ITAUMA VS HRGOVIC ON DAZN PPV
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And with Tyson Fury, 38, and Anthony Joshua, 36, set to finally fight this year, convincing either one to face Itauma next would prove tough.
Warren smirked: “Tyson will obviously be fighting Joshua in November, I think that fight’s going to go on despite of what’s being said.
“Usyk has made it very clear he’s not interested in it. And they’ve earned their medal.
“I mean, Usyk’s an undefeated two-weight world champion and a unified champion. Tyson and AJ both two-time world champions.
“They’re all very, very wealthy and well set up, so they don’t need to tarnish their legacies in taking that, that’s right.
“And the thing is with Tyson, he would do it, but his mind’s on one fight at the moment and that’s all he’s interested in.
“I genuinely believe that if AJ was to take on Moses, I’d put my house on him.”
