Frank Warren still backs ‘unique’ Moses Itauma to fight Oleksandr Usyk in passing of the torch heavyweight showdown

FRANK WARREN still backs Moses Itauma to fight Oleksandr Usyk – even if the feeling is not reciprocated. Usyk has vacated the undisputed heavyweight world title belts over the past year as he looks to cash out on his career with one final farewell fight. Moses Itauma with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren Credit: Getty Oleksandr Usyk has talked down fighting Itauma Credit: Getty American former WBC champion Deontay Wilder is the man the Ukrainian wants to close out his career against. And he certainly does not seem open to the idea of a passing of the torch bout against Britain’s 21-year-old prodigy Itauma. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Watch the latest SunSport video series Usyk claimed he would “break” the momentum of Itauma’s young career – which sees him challenge Filip Hrgovic on Saturday for the vacant IBF title. Warren already matched the pair up before Usyk’s belt became up for grabs – but the promoter says he would have put Itauma in there with ANY opponent. That includes two-weight undisputed champ Usyk, as Warren said on SunSport’s Corner Talk podcast: “I would have done. “I feel he has the beating of the majority of them out there, I’d be very confident. I would have the confidence to put him in with Usyk. “And I know that’s a bold statement, and I don’t really make statements like that about my fighters, fighters I’m involved with. “I always, especially when they’re young, I take it more cautiously. But I really do believe in him. I believe he’s an unbelievable, unique fighter. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The Home of Boxing in 2026 There's a massive year of boxing ahead! It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring. The Gypsy King has beaten Mariusz Wach in his second fight of the year to set up a huge fight with Anthony Joshua And AJ did the same, knocking out Kristian Prenga in the second round of a thrilling encounter – the Brit was knocked down twice in the opening round. Now fans are looking forward to Moses Itauma’s return for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August. Here’s all the big fights coming up… August Sat 29 – Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN September Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue. “And I think he has the beating of nearly everybody there. And I’ll tell you who agrees with me on that, is Usyk himself.” Usyk, 39, came from behind to controversially stop kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven, 37, with ONE SECOND left of round 11 in May. And now the 2012 Olympic gold medalist is negotiating his final fight. Itauma, 21, meanwhile challenges Hrgovic, 34, for the IBF belt that Usyk relinquished in June. It sets up a potentially crowning night for the Chatham sensation and the mark of a new era for British boxing. Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic - all the info Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic face off for the IBF heavyweight world title And with Tyson Fury, 38, and Anthony Joshua, 36, set to finally fight this year, convincing either one to face Itauma next would prove tough. Warren smirked: “Tyson will obviously be fighting Joshua in November, I think that fight’s going to go on despite of what’s being said. “Usyk has made it very clear he’s not interested in it. And they’ve earned their medal. “I mean, Usyk’s an undefeated two-weight world champion and a unified champion. Tyson and AJ both two-time world champions. “They’re all very, very wealthy and well set up, so they don’t need to tarnish their legacies in taking that, that’s right. “And the thing is with Tyson, he would do it, but his mind’s on one fight at the moment and that’s all he’s interested in. “I genuinely believe that if AJ was to take on Moses, I’d put my house on him.” Comment now