Moses Itauma is hoping to take over the heavyweight division in the coming years, but in the eyes of heavyweight icon Lennox Lewis, there is one heavyweight that the youngster should avoid facing.
Now that Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his three world titles in the division, Itauma is extremely well poised to capitalise, having been called out by newly crowned WBA ruler Murat Gassiev, ordered for a IBF title shot, but also linked to a shot at new WBC champion Agit Kabayel.
As for the WBO marble, Itauma is currently sat as the mandatory challenger in the division, expected to be ordered for a fight against the victor of Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley’s pending rematch.
As a result, should Itauma come through his meeting with Filip Hrgovic unscathed next month, it seems as though a world title bid will be next.
Whilst Itauma is trying to prove himself as the best heavyweight on the planet, three-time world champion Lewis told iFL TV that he should steer clear of Usyk, despite the Ukrainian being 39 years old.
“Moses is a great, upcoming, young fighter. He has got a lot of grit, he throws some good punches. I think that there is a time where he is going to have to make that move but the time isn’t now, he has got a lot of time left, [he should] take his time.
“No rush [for Usyk[ at all. If I was him, I would wait until Oleksandr Usyk is retired and know that ‘I am ruling this heavyweight scene right now’, but to go against him right now is a bit too early.”
Itauma-Hrgovic takes place on Saturday, August 29, with the 21-year-old Briton set to top the O2 Arena bill as he headlines in the U.K. capital for the first time.
