Oleksandr Usyk has been linked to a host of heavyweights for his first outing of 2026. British boxing icon Carl Froch has named the man he thinks the unified heavyweight ruler should take on next.
Usyk had been expected by some to retire after defeating Daniel Dubois in their July rematch to become the first two-time undisputed heavyweight world champion since Muhammad Ali.
However, the undefeated Ukrainian instead revealed plans to fight until he is 41 years old and then open up a sports academy in his home nation. In the same discussion, he called for a clash with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Despite many fans believing that a fight with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ had been agreed, the Alabama-born knockout artist is understood to have signed to take on Derek Chisora in London this April, leaving Usyk without an opponent.
Now, Andy Ruiz Jr. is believed to be in contention for a title challenge, even though the Californian has not won a professional contest since 2022, whilst Germany’s Agit Kabayel also hopes to land a shot at the heavyweight throne.
Speaking to Coin Poker, Froch revealed that he would prefer Usyk to take on 21-year-old Moses Itauma, who is deemed to be the hottest prospect in the division.
“I’d like to see Moses Itauma in with Usyk. I’m a massive Usyk fan. But I’d love to see a young, fresh, dynamic, powerful fighter like him against someone like Usyk, just to see. It gives Moses Itauma a chance to go in there and do the business.”
Itauma had been scheduled to face Michigan’s Jermaine Franklin Jr. last Saturday, but the youngster suffered a torn bicep 11 days before their battle, with the entirety of that card being pushed back to Saturday, March 28, as a result.
