Moses Itauma is not against Oleksandr Usyk fighting 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 does not sit well with him. Itauma kept his voice measured, but the point was firm.
“Usyk, he can do what he wants,” Itauma told the Ariel Helwani Show. “He earned that right. But I don’t think it should be allowed to fight for the world title.”
Itauma did not question Usyk’s standing or what he had achieved. Instead, he focused on the idea of a rookie walking right into a championship game 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 little crazy,” Itauma said.
The Usyk-Verhoeven battle itself was not the problem. Itauma did not dismiss Verhoeven’s ability or the appeal of the game. What he was fighting about was a title being put on that fight without the usual path.
There was also an acknowledgment that fighters in Usyk’s position operate under different conditions. Itauma pointed out that once someone reaches that level of performance and superstar status, they can choose opportunities that others will not be afforded. That part, in his opinion, comes with the territory. The issue, in his opinion, 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 took a clear position. His view is similar to what many boxing fans have said about the Usyk vs. Rico fight.
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Last updated on 2026/03/19 at 12:14
