Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has put an end to recent speculation, confirming that he will not be facing British boxing prodigy Moses Itauma anytime soon. The Ukrainian great stated that the 20-year-old is simply “not ready” for a contest against him, opting instead for a playful jab at the much younger boxer.
Usyk, 38, who holds all five major world titles, addressed the rumours in an interview with Ready To Fight, where he mixed respect for Itauma’s talent with light-hearted dismissal.
“No, I won’t fight Itauma. He’s young, always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn’t hit grandpas,” Usyk said jokingly, referring to his age and Itauma’s previous comments.
The speculation surrounding a matchup surged after Itauma’s explosive first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte on August 16. The decisive victory caught the eye of Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, who publicly floated the idea of an Usyk-Itauma bout. Itauma, who remains unbeaten in 13 fights with 11 knockouts, had welcomed the idea, calling it a “win-win” opportunity regardless of the outcome.
Recovery and Future Plans
The champion is currently recovering from a back injury sustained after his spectacular fifth-round knockout against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July. Usyk revealed that due to his recovery, he does not expect to return to the ring until 2026.
Despite the temporary delay, Usyk confirmed he has no plans to retire in the near future, stating his intention to remain active in the sport for years to come.
“I’ll fight until I’m 41,” he declared. “Then I will build a sports academy. I will train there and train others.”
Usyk’s immediate next opponent remains officially unconfirmed, with ongoing negotiations limiting what he can disclose. While there has been talk of a possible WBO title defence against the winner of a potential bout between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley, Usyk’s focus remains on returning fully fit in 2026 to continue his reign as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
