The heavyweight division is a strange place at the best of times, and right now, all eyes are on undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. With his mandatory title defence looming, boxing fans are scratching their heads about what’s next for the Ukrainian star. The usual talk is about a fight with WBO champion Joseph Parker or rising British contender Fabio Wardley. But according to top promoter Eddie Hearn, Usyk might be looking for something a lot more exciting.
Since his stunning knockout of Daniel Dubois earlier this summer, Usyk has been on the sidelines, taking a break after a demanding fight. He was granted a negotiation extension by the WBO due to an injury, which has only added to the mystery surrounding his next step. While Parker and Wardley are both solid opponents, some in the boxing world, including Hearn, believe a bout with either of them might not be enough to get Usyk’s fire going.
Hearn’s Take: Is the Money and Motivation There?
Eddie Hearn, who knows a thing or two about big-money fights, has been very open about his concerns. He questions whether a fight against Joseph Parker offers the kind of challenge and payday that a fighter of Usyk’s calibre deserves. “What are we actually doing? Do you want to fight Joseph Parker? Where’s the motivation? It’s a tough fight; the money isn’t great. And you’re just defending your title. Does that fight motivate you?” Hearn recently stated. It’s a bold perspective that gets to the heart of what many fans are wondering.
The sentiment is that Usyk has already proven he’s one of the all-time greats. He’s looking for legacy-defining fights, not just routine title defences. This is where a new, thrilling possibility comes into play: a clash with the young, unbeaten sensation Moses Itauma.
The Moses Itauma Factor: The Future of Heavyweight Boxing
Moses Itauma is the kind of prospect who could change the entire landscape of the heavyweight division. He’s currently preparing for an IBF title eliminator and is making huge waves in the boxing world with his incredible talent and raw power. Hearn sees a fight with Usyk as not just a good fight, but a defining moment for both men. For Usyk, it’s a chance to take on a fresh, hungry talent who poses a completely different kind of threat. For Itauma, it’s a golden ticket to the top of the sport. He’s a big name in the making, and a fight with Usyk would catapult him into the mainstream.
The original article pointed out that Itauma is ranked just below Joseph Parker in the WBO standings, showing how close he is to a title shot. With Parker now set to fight Fabio Wardley for the WBO interim title, Itauma’s path to a showdown with Usyk is becoming clearer. Usyk must face the winner of that bout, but many believe he might be tempted by the high-risk, high-reward appeal of fighting a young phenom like Itauma instead of waiting.
Usyk’s Crossroads: A Legacy on the Line
Usyk is at a pivotal crossroads in his career. The pressure to return to the ring is mounting, but he has a monumental decision to make. Does he take on the mandatory challenge from the winner of the Parker vs. Wardley fight, or does he look for a more explosive, legacy-building fight against a talent like Moses Itauma? Both paths come with risks. A fight with Parker or Wardley would be a tough, tactical battle, but might not generate the same level of buzz. A fight with Itauma would be an unproven challenge, but the reward could be immense, cementing his legacy as a fighter who wasn’t afraid to take on the next generation.
As the boxing world awaits his decision, the choice Usyk makes will shape the next chapter of heavyweight boxing. It’s not just about who he fights, but why he fights them. The motivation, the money, and the legacy are all on the line. And with a talent like Itauma ready and waiting, the future of the division has never looked more exciting.
