Tony Bellew has weighed in on the debate about Moses Itauma potentially fighting Oleksandr Usyk.
Itauma is just 20-years-old but is one of the brightest prospects in heavyweight boxing.
The Slovakian-born British fighter has had 12 fights so far, and won 10 of them by KO. Most impressively, his last three have all ended inside the first three rounds with Mariusz Wach, Demsey McKean and Mike Balogun all dispatched with relative ease.
Next up for Itauma, who has been hailed by Tyson Fury and Usyk as the next big star of the division, is a huge step up against Dillian Whyte.
Speaking on DAZN Boxing, Bellew first had plenty of praise for Itauma while speaking of the heavyweight division’s general lack of rising stars.
“I don’t think anyone else has that actual ability. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in ability.”
That said, he firmly believes that a much-discussed potential fight with Usyk now would be too soon.
“He’s not ready for Oleksandr Usyk in any way, shape or form. A man who has not been past six or seven rounds, is not ready in any way.”
Whyte is a former world title challenger who has beaten top-tier fighters such as Alexander Povetkin, Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker, so a win there for Itauma would potentially fast-track him towards a world title shot of his own in 2026.
As for Usyk, the Ukrainian has recently been ordered to begin talks with New Zealander Parker for a mandatory defence of his titles, but no announcement has yet been made on the potential battle.