‘Big future’ – Oleksandr Usyk backs fast-rising boxer to succeed him as heavyweight king
As one generation comes to a close, another fresh crop of talent is waiting to take its place. The three kings of this current heavyweight era: Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are entering the twilight of their careers. Usyk is the king of the current era of heavyweightsGETTY Fury is presently retired, Joshua is unlikely to still be boxing by 2027 and Usyk recently admitted he only has two fights left in his illustrious career. Boxing needs fresh-faced contenders to take the reins from the superstar trio once they inevitably hang up their gloves in the not-so-distant future. And luckily for fans of the sweet science, there are plenty of exciting prospects who look destined to achieve big things in years to come. Two-time Olympic champion Bakhodir Jalolov will be a force to be reckoned with if he can translate his glittering amateur career to the pros. IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is still only 27 years old and could become the next man to unify the division provided he can beat Joseph Parker on February 22 and then overcome Usyk in a rematch. Meanwhile, Teremoana Teremoana, Justis Huni, Richard Torrez Jr, Delicious Orie, Martin Bakole, and Agit Kabayel all look poised to make a big impact. But the man everyone is most excited about, at least on British shores, is 20-year-old Moses Itauma. The Chatham-based puncher hasn’t put a foot wrong during his perfect 11-0 start in the paid ranks and he’s got the seal of approval from the current king of the glamour division. When asked by talkSPORT.com who will succeed him as the next undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk replied: “Moses Itauma, I think is a great fighter. “Young. 20 years old. I think Itauma has a big future.” Usyk expects Itauma to succeed him as the next No.1 guy in the glamour divisionGetty Usyk is not alone in his assessment of Itauma. Fury has also dubbed Itauma ‘the future of the heavyweight division’ after sparring with him. The Brit’s explosive all-action style and eye for a knockout have led to comparisons with the great Mike Tyson. When Itauma turned over as a pro two years ago, he set his sights on breaking ‘Iron Mike’s’ record as the youngest heavyweight world champion of all time (20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old). However, he is being moved at a far more conservative pace by promoter Frank Warren, which should prove to serve him well in the long run. Last time out, Itauma blasted fringe contender Demsey McKean away inside the opening round. Itauma is 11-0 and laid waste to McKean in his last outingGETTY McKean, who had only ever lost to Filip Hrgovic prior to meeting Itauma, looked to be a good step up on paper. But he proved no match for the youngster, who made quick work of him in the co-main event slot for Fury and Usyk’s rematch on December 21. Itauma is expected to return to the ring in the first quarter of 2025. Former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin recently called for a fight with the heavy-handed youngster and he may well get his wish after Warren expressed interest in the match-up. Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
As one generation comes to a close, another fresh crop of talent is waiting to take its place.
The three kings of this current heavyweight era: Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are entering the twilight of their careers.
Fury is presently retired, Joshua is unlikely to still be boxing by 2027 and Usyk recently admitted he only has two fights left in his illustrious career.
Boxing needs fresh-faced contenders to take the reins from the superstar trio once they inevitably hang up their gloves in the not-so-distant future.
And luckily for fans of the sweet science, there are plenty of exciting prospects who look destined to achieve big things in years to come.
Two-time Olympic champion Bakhodir Jalolov will be a force to be reckoned with if he can translate his glittering amateur career to the pros.
IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is still only 27 years old and could become the next man to unify the division provided he can beat Joseph Parker on February 22 and then overcome Usyk in a rematch.
Meanwhile, Teremoana Teremoana, Justis Huni, Richard Torrez Jr, Delicious Orie, Martin Bakole, and Agit Kabayel all look poised to make a big impact.
But the man everyone is most excited about, at least on British shores, is 20-year-old Moses Itauma.
The Chatham-based puncher hasn’t put a foot wrong during his perfect 11-0 start in the paid ranks and he’s got the seal of approval from the current king of the glamour division.
When asked by talkSPORT.com who will succeed him as the next undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk replied: “Moses Itauma, I think is a great fighter.
“Young. 20 years old. I think Itauma has a big future.”
Usyk is not alone in his assessment of Itauma.
Fury has also dubbed Itauma ‘the future of the heavyweight division’ after sparring with him.
The Brit’s explosive all-action style and eye for a knockout have led to comparisons with the great Mike Tyson.
When Itauma turned over as a pro two years ago, he set his sights on breaking ‘Iron Mike’s’ record as the youngest heavyweight world champion of all time (20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old).
However, he is being moved at a far more conservative pace by promoter Frank Warren, which should prove to serve him well in the long run.
Last time out, Itauma blasted fringe contender Demsey McKean away inside the opening round.
McKean, who had only ever lost to Filip Hrgovic prior to meeting Itauma, looked to be a good step up on paper.
But he proved no match for the youngster, who made quick work of him in the co-main event slot for Fury and Usyk’s rematch on December 21.
Itauma is expected to return to the ring in the first quarter of 2025.
Former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin recently called for a fight with the heavy-handed youngster and he may well get his wish after Warren expressed interest in the match-up.
