Itauma addresses Usyk remarks while preparing for Jermaine Franklin bout
Moses Itauma addressed Oleksandr Usyk’s comment about “breaking” him in a potential fight. The unbeaten heavyweight said he does not believe the champion truly thinks that.
Usyk recently suggested he would not want to face the 21-year-old prospect because he does not want to “break” him, a remark that quickly drew attention given Itauma’s rapid rise in the division.
The unbeaten heavyweight, now 13-0 with 11 knockouts, addressed the comment while speaking to IFL TV and said he expected a response like that from a rival champion.
“Listen, everybody’s got to say something to the media. He ain’t gonna come on and say [anything else]. Let me ask you a question: do you think Usyk would be able to knock Dillian Whyte out in a minute?”
“He’s saying I’m a young guy, he’ll break me. I’ve got the utmost respect for Usyk [but] I know it’s not the truth. He’s not going to go on to the media and portray himself in a negative way, so I don’t take offence. If I get the opportunity, I get the opportunity. If I don’t, I don’t … I know his team don’t think what he said.”
Itauma has yet to face elite opposition, but his quick rise and knockout record have made him one of the most closely watched young heavyweights in the sport.
The immediate task is another step forward. Itauma faces Jermaine Franklin on March 28 in Manchester, a durable opponent who has previously gone rounds with top heavyweights.
A win there would continue Itauma’s climb and keep his name circulating around bigger fights.
For now, the Usyk matchup remains unlikely. Itauma’s route could instead pass through other major names in the division as he continues building his record.
