Oleksandr Usyk has declined the opportunity to fight British emerging talent Moses Itauma. The Ukrainian secured his second undisputed heavyweight championship in his recent victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, witnessed by a crowd of over 90,000. Despite turning 39 in January, Usyk had initially stated that he only had two fights left before retiring. However, he surprised many by announcing his intention to continue boxing until the age of 41 and then establish a Sports Academy.
As Usyk prepares for his comeback next year, potential opponents include Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury, who is gearing up for a return to the ring. Itauma, a promising British boxer, was speculated to face Usyk, but the Ukrainian dismissed those rumors, citing Itauma’s youth as a reason. Itauma, known for his undefeated record and remarkable victories, including a recent knockout of Dillian Whyte, was seen as a possible contender for Usyk. However, the young fighter opted out of an IBF final eliminator against Frank Sanchez, redirecting his path towards a world title fight.
In a recent statement, Itauma expressed his team’s focus on gaining more experience in the ring but highlighted the potential benefits of facing Usyk. Meanwhile, upcoming boxing matches, such as Kieron Conway versus George Liddard, are set to take place at York Hall, Bethnal Green. Viewers can catch all the action live on the DAZN streaming platform, with subscription options available for access to the event.