MOSES ITAUMA’S trainer Ben Davison is ready to throw the British prodigy into a world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk – the two-time undisputed heavyweight king – has claimed he has just one fight left in his legendary career.
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Moses Itauma is being lined up as a potential opponent for Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
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Usyk says he has just one more fight left in his careerCredit: Getty
And, after cleaning out Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois twice over, the Ukrainian maestro is running out of challengers.
Itauma is just 20 years old and only 13 fights into his professional career but several see him as the biggest threat to Usyk’s reign.
And his coach Davison told Sky Sports: “I would take it. I would. I think it’s a win-win.
“As much as Moses hasn’t boxed anybody like Usyk, I don’t think Usyk’s boxed anybody like Moses. I think he would openly say that himself.
“It’s something he would be up for. I think he’s got the mindset: if you’re taking a dive [into the deep end] you might as well take the dive. Hopefully we may end up in a world title fight.”
Itauma knocked out Dillian Whyte, 37, in just one round in August in Saudi Arabia.
Finding willing opponents to risk their records and reputation against the rising prospect has been Itauma’s toughest fight so far.
But durable veterans Jermaine Franklin and Filip Hrgovic have emerged as options to face Itauma next.
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And Davison said: “Those are the two on everybody’s lips. They’re not interested and it’s the same for pretty much all of them, so it’s difficult.
“It’s difficult to get these opponents at this moment in time. They’re not interested, they don’t want to play ball.
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OLEKSANDR USYK is a modern day great and one of the best boxers we have ever seen.
The Ukrainian battered a gallant but completely outclassed Daniel Dubois in their Wembley rematch to become a three-time undisputed champion.
Two of those came at heavyweight after he had already cleaned up the cruiserweight division.
You just run out of things to say about Usyk.
Everything that he does just impresses you more and more and more.
Read the full comment piece on the Ukrainian’s stunning KO victory.
“They just want so much money to box him it’s hard to get the opponents.
“The next fight, if we can pull something off and get somebody like that we’re all for that. That’s what we’re after, the same as everybody else.
“But if not I suppose we’ll have to drop down a level and try again in the new year maybe.”
Usyk was mandated by the WBO to fight Joseph Parker next – but he asked for an extension due to injury.
Parker, 33, will now face Fabio Wardley, 30, on October 25 at the O2 Arena.
Meanwhile Usyk is being investigated by the WBO after footage emerged of him DANCING despite his injury exemption.
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Trainer Ben Davison with Itauma
