Usyk Backs Moses Itauma as Heavyweight Heir: "He's Special"

Oleksandr Usyk has already decided who inherits the heavyweight throne, and it isn't either of the men currently wearing a piece of his old crown. The Ukrainian, who vacated all three of his world titles last month but stays the lineal king, told DAZN that 21-year-old Moses Itauma is the fighter built to dominate the division. With just one bout left before retirement at 39, Usyk is effectively picking his own successor.

The praise is about temperament, not just talent. Usyk singled out Itauma's calm before and after fights, the absence of trash talk, and a focus on training that he says belongs to a much older man. From the boxer who out-thought Tyson Fury twice and unified the division, that's a specific kind of endorsement.

The Field Usyk Left Behind

The splintering of Usyk's belts created a crowded top tier. Agit Kabayel now holds the WBC strap at a spotless 27-0 (19 KO), fresh off a third-round stoppage of Damian Knyba. Murat Gassiev has the WBA, and the two are reportedly circling a unification. Usyk gave Kabayel credit by name, but stopped short of anointing him.

Then there's Daniel Dubois, who has arguably the loudest claim of anyone. The 28-year-old, twice beaten by Usyk himself, rebuilt his stock by finishing Fabio Wardley in the 11th round in May to take the WBO title. That win moved Dubois to 23-3 (22 KO), a ledger where nearly every victory comes by knockout, and pushed him into most people's No. 2 slot at heavyweight.

Prove It First

Before any of this future-king talk means anything, Itauma has to handle business at the O2 Arena on August 29 against Filip Hrgovic, a consensus top-10 heavyweight and by far the sternest test of the prospect's career. Beat him and the path opens up quickly.

The most likely next step would be a shot at the vacant IBF title against Frank Sanchez, since both sit atop the sanctioning body's rankings. Sanchez is 26-1 (19 KO) and coming off a second-round knockout of Richard Torrez, so it wouldn't be a soft landing. Usyk has essentially handed Itauma a prophecy. Now the 21-year-old has to go collect on it.