Trainer Ben Davison has said his gifted young heavyweight Moses Itauma would “jump at the chance” to face undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The imperious Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs) is coming off a commanding July victory over Daniel Dubois, while southpaw prospect Itauma destroyed English veteran Dillian Whyte just four weeks later.
“Me and Moses have had the conversation and it’s a fight we’d jump at,” Davison told Sky Sports Boxing. “In 20 years, they’re going to look back on Oleksandr Usyk and he’s going to be in the argument for the best heavyweight ever. To have a chance in your career to go up against that, you’ve got to take that. Whether it’s at the perfect time or not. It’s a win-win to have that opportunity, what are you in it for if you’re not going to take an opportunity against the best?
“And there’s not going to be too long of a period where [Itauma is] going to get that opportunity. As much as Moses hasn’t fought anybody like Oleksandr Usyk, Oleksandr Usyk hasn’t boxed anyone like Moses Itauma – because there hasn’t been anyone like Moses Itauma. Would we prefer a little bit more experience and a little bit more time? Of course, but if the opportunity were to come, it’s something we would definitely jump at.”
Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), who turned 21 in December, is rated No. 1 by the WBO and the WBA.
Davison has previously worked with Tyson Fury, and he has been in the corner for the most recent contests of Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has not boxed since he was defeated by Dubois in Wembley Stadium last September. While there is consistent speculation that Joshua and Fury will eventually meet, Davison is not so sure.
“I think that currently we’re talking about somebody that’s nearly been retired for a year [in Fury] and we’re talking about someone that boxed over a year ago the last time he boxed,” Davison pointed out. “At the moment it’s not looking too promising. However, there’s talk of AJ boxing again and I think that if Tyson decides to fight again, I think it would be a shame if they do both fight again and it’s not against each other.
“However, we have no right as the public to tell any fighter that they can’t retire. So, if Tyson stays retired, he’s earned the right to do that. The only thing is I’d say, if they do both fight again and it’s not against each other, it would be a shame.”
Tris Dixon covered his first amateur boxing fight in 1996. The former editor of Boxing News, he has written for a number of international publications and newspapers, including GQ and Men’s Health, and is a board member for the Ringside Charitable Trust and the Ring of Brotherhood. He has been a broadcaster for TNT Sports and hosts the popular “Boxing Life Stories” podcast. Dixon is a British Boxing Hall of Famer, an International Boxing Hall of Fame elector, is on The Ring ratings panel and is the author of five boxing books, including “Damage: The Untold Story of Brain Trauma in Boxing” (shortlisted for the William Hill Sportsbook of the Year), “Warrior: A Champion’s Search for His Identity” (shortlisted for the Sunday Times International Sportsbook of the Year) and “The Road to Nowhere: A Journey Through Boxing’s Wastelands.” You can reach him @trisdixon on X and Instagram.
