JAKARTA - The rising heavyweight youth boxer, Moses Itauma, is aware that the opportunity he has to face the undisputed two-time heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in the near future is very small.
Itauma is scheduled to face American boxer Jermaine Franklin on March 28, 2026 in Manchester, England. A victory in the match will pave the way for him to challenge for the world title at the end of this year.
The 21-year-old fighter said that one of his dream duels was to clash with the Ukrainian champion. However, he assessed that Usyk had no urgent reason to fight against him other than the other heavyweight elites.
"Obviously he has other agendas and there is a long list of boxers who may be ahead of me such as Fabio Wardley and Agit Kabayel," Itauma said as quoted by Sky Sport.
He also emphasized that the names above are more deserving of the opportunity to fight for the world championship title. However, he ensured that he would not miss the opportunity to fight Usyk if he managed to get it.
Itauma assessed that Tyson Fury's return also added a new dimension to the heavyweight division although he was not so sure that the duel was realistic in the near future.
He said Fury still has other big fight options, including a potential duel against Anthony Joshua, which is considered more financially advantageous.
"He knows there are many other fights that might have given him more money and not as hard against me. So, it doesn't make sense for him," he said.
Itauma should be in a position to fight for the world title this year due to his status as the WBA and WBO's number one challenger. However, he is in a difficult situation because world-class boxers are reluctant to take the risk of fighting him.
Another possibility to face the winner of the WBO heavyweight title duel between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois in May 2026 is also not simple. Wardley and Itauma are under the same coach, Ben Davison, so it can create its own dilemma.
Itauma admitted that he did not completely rule out facing Wardley in the future, but for now his main focus remains on Franklin who he considers the toughest opponent in his career.
"All possibilities could make sense, but right now I have Jermaine Franklin in front of me. It's an interesting fight. I think Jermaine Franklin is a heavier opponent than Dillian Whyte," he said.
Itauma has a formidable record in his career so far, winning all 13 of his professional fights (11 KOs). Dillian Whyte was his last victim in August 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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