Moses Itauma gives defiant response to Oleksandr Usyk rejecting potential fight

Moses Itauma is confident he wouldn’t be ‘broken’ by Oleksandr Usyk if they went head-to-head in the ring.

British heavyweight sensation Itauma is on a fast-track rise to the top of the heavyweight division.

And there is strong belief that he is on the cusp of challenging for world titles, with promoter Frank Warren expecting him to get his shot this year.

Three of the four belts are currently tied up with Usyk, who has indicated he isn’t interested in facing the young star.

He then doubled down on that suggestion, claiming he would break the 21-year-old if they do meet.

Itauma conceded he has big respect for Usyk, but doesn’t think the champion’s camp truly believe his words.

He told iFL TV: “Listen, everybody’s got to say something to the media. He isn’t gonna come on and say [anything else].

“Let me ask you a question: do you think Usyk would be able to knock Dillian Whyte out in a minute?

“He’s saying I’m a young guy, he’ll break me. I’ve got the utmost respect for Usyk [but] I know it’s not the truth.

“He’s not going to go on to the media and portray himself in a negative way, so I don’t take offence.

“If I get the opportunity, I get the opportunity. If I don’t, I don’t. I know his team don’t think what he said.”

Itauma’s chances of luring Usyk in look extremely bleak, but his profile is growing with every punch.

But the Ukrainian is nearly 40 and has already mapped out his final years.

He will next take on Rico Verhoeven, before he intends to take on the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, and meet Tyson Fury for the third time.

Itauma – when could he get his title shot?

Itauma is looking to challenge for world glory before the end of 2026 but may have his work cut out.

Agit Kabayel is ahead of Itauma in the pecking order to challenge Usyk, and he too is unlikely to land the shot.

It could be better for the Chatham native to pursue the winner of Fabio Wardley’s title defence against Daniel Dubois in May.

But he has suggested he doesn’t want to fight his stablemate Wardley unless totally necessary.