Usyk vs. Itauma - Former world champion makes prediction for potential heavyweight blockbuster

Moses Itauma’s  path towards a world title has been slightly delayed as his fight against Jermaine Franklin, scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed until March. 

Despite the setback, Itauma is still very much seen as the future of the heavyweight division, and he is expected to feature in major fights for the biggest prizes over the next few years. 

One possible fight either this year or next could be a huge showdown with Oleksandr Usyk who is still seen as the world’s best heavyweight. 

The Ukrainian has cleared out the heavyweight division in recent years with solid wins over the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and he is now linked to a big fight with Deontay Wilder in America in the first half of this year. 

If successful against Wilder and as long as Itauma keeps on winning, Itauma’s path towards a world title may pass Usyk, and that could see a momentous clash of generations between youth and experience. 

Johnny Nelson, a former heavyweight contender and cruiserweight champion, has delivered his verdict on how he thinks Usyk vs Itauma could play out. 

“[Itauma’s] nowhere near the finished article. He’s only 21 years old, I think we’ve seen maybe 35% of him,” said Nelson when speaking to the Daily Mail. 

“I think Moses gives him hellfire, but I think Usyk is too clever for him. I think he’s too clever for all of them, but it’s a dangerous fight for him. I would expect Usyk to beat him but don’t write this boy off.” 

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