Billy Joe Saunders is against seeing a heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Moses Itauma, purely for the reason that he feels one man would be at a sizable disadvantage.
Before anything else, Itauma must first complete his assignment against Filip Hrgovic, who he faces this Saturday for the vacant IBF title.
If he emerges victorious, the 21-year-old will become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson dethroned Trevor Berbick with a second-round finish in 1986.
The talented prodigy would then be ordered to face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who has agreed to a step-aside fee with Queensberry promoter Frank Warren.
Usyk, meanwhile, is closing in on retirement after producing a subpar performance against Rico Verhoeven, who he ultimately stopped in round 11 of their encounter last May.
The 39-year-old has, of course, guaranteed his place in the Hall of Fame and, having become a two-division undisputed champion, there is virtually nothing left for him to achieve in the sport.
As a result, Usyk has outlined his ambition to enter one last fight, acknowledging that he is approaching the final chapter of his illustrious career.
Former two-weight world champion Saunders has therefore told talkSPORT that a showdown between Usyk and Itauma is no longer appealing.
“I don’t give any heavyweight at the moment a chance against him [Itauma]…
I wouldn’t like to see that fight – not now. I would’ve liked to have seen it two or three years ago, but it never would’ve happened.
Everybody has that sell-by date, and I think [Usyk’s] just trying to stay [in boxing] because of the money.”
Saunders added that, based on Usyk’s last performance, he would confidently back an Itauma victory over the ageing Ukrainian.
