Usyk Names 21‑Year‑Old Moses Itauma as Heir to Heavyweight Crown

*TL;DR: Oleksandr Usyk says 21‑year‑old Moses Itauma, unbeaten in 14 fights with 12 stoppages, is the future undisputed heavyweight champion.

Context Usyk, the current undisputed heavyweight champion, was asked which fighter could succeed him. He named Moses Itauma, bypassing veterans Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. The endorsement follows Usyk’s own unbeaten run of 24 wins, including two victories over each of those three heavyweights.

Key Facts - Itauma, a British‑Nigerian, is 21 and holds a 14‑0 professional record; 12 wins came by stoppage, meaning the fight ended before the scheduled distance. - He captured the WBA International and WBO Intercontinental heavyweight titles and is the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt, while also ranking number one with the WBA. - In March, Itauma became the first man to stop Jermaine Franklin Jr., a fighter known for durability, at Manchester’s Co‑op Live Arena. - Promoter Eddie Hearn (referred to as Warren in the source) called Itauma “the most talented heavyweight I have seen at his age,” noting few heavyweights turn pro as teenagers. - Tyson Fury, who sparred with Itauma in 2024, previously posted that the young fighter is “the future of the heavyweight division.” - A headline bout at London’s O2 Arena is slated for August 8, with negotiations ongoing for a fight against Filip Hrgovic, who recently stopped Dave Allen in three rounds.

What It Means Usyk’s public endorsement adds significant credibility to Itauma’s marketability and could accelerate his path to a world title shot. With promoters and established champions already acknowledging his talent, Itauma may soon face a top‑10 opponent, positioning him for a mandatory challenge within the next 12 months. Watch for the O2 Arena card and any finalized agreement with Hrgovic, which would be the first test of Itauma against a ranked contender on a major stage.