Moses Itauma isn’t against Oleksandr Usyk taking a different kind of fight. What he doesn’t agree with is the idea of a world title being attached to it.
The 21-year-old heavyweight was asked about the possibility of Usyk facing kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven and made it clear that, while unified heavyweight champion Usyk has earned freedom in his career, the title element doesn’t sit well with him. Itauma kept his tone measured, but the point was firm.
“Usyk, he can do whatever he wants,” Itauma said to the Ariel Helwani Show. “He’s earned that right. But I don’t think it should be allowed to fight for the world title.”
Itauma wasn’t questioning Usyk’s standing or what he’s achieved. Instead, he focused on the idea of a newcomer stepping straight into a championship fight without going through the usual route. That’s where he drew the line.
“For Rico to be able to fight for the world title in his first fight, it’s a bit crazy,” Itauma said.
The Usyk-Verhoeven fight itself wasn’t the issue. Itauma didn’t dismiss Verhoeven’s ability or the appeal of the matchup. What he took issue with was a title being put on that fight without the usual path.
There was also an acknowledgement that fighters in Usyk’s position operate under different conditions. Itauma pointed out that once someone reaches that level of achievement and superstar status, they can choose opportunities others wouldn’t be offered. That part, in his view, comes with the territory. The issue, in his view, is when that freedom carries over to title fights.
It’s a small moment in the interview, but one of the few where Itauma moved away from standard answers and into a clear position. His view is similar to what many boxing fans have been saying about the Usyk vs. Rico fight.
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Last Updated on 2026/03/19 at 12:14 AM
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