Former world super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has offered his take on how a clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Moses Itauma would unfold.
The two heavyweights are at vastly different stages of their careers, with Usyk – while an elite pound-for-pound talent – coming towards the end and Itauma still on the rise.
Many already believe Itauma is the next heavyweight ruler in waiting, even though there is still plenty of experience for the 20-year-old to gain.
He is yet to face a truly world-class opponent, with stoppage victories over Dillian Whyte, Mike Balogun and Demsey McKean not coming close to comparing with the resume of Usyk, but the manner in which the Brit has dealt with each assignment is extremely impressive.
Indeed, the dynamic knockout artist has well and truly passed the eye test, typically taking care of business with ruthless precision and a seamless degree of fluidity. Some want to see him in with Usyk, others believe it would be a step too far too soon.
Froch, for one, believes that Itauma should steer clear of the Ukrainian, while also suggesting on his YouTube channel, Froch On Fighting, that a defeat to Usyk could end particularly badly for the unbeaten Brit.
“You can’t rush Itauma. For me, if I’m managing Itauma, I’m not putting him straight in with Usyk, an old veteran who has hundreds and hundreds of amateur and undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight title fights underneath him.
“That could be the finishing of [Itauma], couldn’t it?”
Itauma returns to action in January against Jermaine Franklin, while Usyk’s next move is currently unknown after he vacated his WBO title, leaving him in possession of the WBC, WBA and IBF belts.
