The heavyweight boxing world is abuzz after Moses Itauma, the 20-year-old British phenom, delivered a thunderous first-round knockout over Dillian Whyte on August 16, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In just 119 seconds, Itauma dispatched the veteran contender, sending shockwaves through the division and igniting a firestorm of speculation about his future—and, notably, about a possible showdown with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Tyson Fury, the former world champion and a man who knows both Usyk and Itauma well, wasted no time in weighing in. Fury, who suffered back-to-back defeats to Usyk in 2024 before briefly retiring in January 2025, took to social media on August 18 to make a bold prediction: "Moses Itauma will wreck all them old men out of the division. Usyk, AJ, Miller. Whoever there is that's old. Zhang, whoever else the f*** there is, Luis Ortiz. All these big names of the past. Even the man who took my belts. Usyk, Moses will wreck him because it's a young man versus an old man. And an old man can't mess with a young man."
Fury's endorsement carries weight. Not only has he sparred with Itauma, but he has also stood across the ring from Usyk—twice. As Fury put it, "My opinion is not someone who doesn't know boxing. My opinion is someone who has been there and won every single belt. Won everything there is to win in boxing and done very well." For Fury, the youth and hunger of Itauma represent an unstoppable force, one that the 36-year-old Usyk, despite his remarkable record, may find impossible to withstand.
Usyk, for his part, remains the reigning king of the heavyweight division. With a spotless record of 24 victories (15 by knockout) over a 12-year professional career, the Ukrainian has toppled a who's who of modern heavyweights: Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Derek Chisora, Chazz Witherspoon, and, of course, Tyson Fury. His most recent triumph came in July 2025, when he stopped Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their rematch at Wembley, reclaiming the undisputed title for the second time. Yet, with age creeping in and only one more fight planned before retirement, Usyk's reign may be entering its twilight.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is eager to capitalize on the momentum. According to reports from The Ring magazine and other outlets, Alalshikh wants to see Itauma challenge Usyk for the undisputed crown as soon as possible. While Usyk has been ordered to defend his WBO belt against interim titlist Joseph Parker, the Ukrainian has requested an extension for negotiations after sustaining an injury. Should Usyk relinquish his title, Parker could be elevated to full champion, with Itauma waiting in the wings as the number one contender.
"If I’m being completely honest Joseph Parker and Kabayel do deserve the shot. But I’d love to take that opportunity as well. Chuck me in there with that lot," Itauma admitted when asked about his next steps. The young Brit has been measured in his approach, acknowledging that he does not yet feel entitled to a shot at Usyk. "I don't want to call out Usyk because I don't believe I deserve the opportunity – but guys that do deserve the opportunity, I want to fight those lot. So maybe Agit Kabayel, maybe Joseph Parker. Maybe them type of names. (But) as of right now, I am going to rest and then maybe be back in the gym."
Still, the boxing world is not inclined to wait. Itauma’s performance against Whyte was, by all accounts, flawless. He looked both faster and stronger than his opponent, and what was supposed to be the toughest test of his career turned into a showcase of his devastating power and composure under the bright lights of Riyadh. As one seasoned observer put it, "The top players in the heavyweight division already had their eyes on Itauma before he faced Whyte, but now he’s firmly on their radar."
Fans and pundits alike have pounced on Fury's comments, with some suggesting that the Gypsy King is projecting his own frustrations after two losses to Usyk. "Fury's just bitter that Usyk schooled him twice," wrote one fan online. Others believe Fury’s praise for Itauma is also a tacit admission that the young Brit would beat him, too. The speculation is as relentless as it is entertaining—classic boxing theater.
Meanwhile, Usyk’s camp is weighing its options. While the WBO has ordered him to face Parker, internal negotiations and Usyk's recent injury have introduced uncertainty. The possibility that Usyk may vacate the title adds another layer of intrigue. If that happens, Parker would likely be elevated, and Itauma could find himself fighting for a world championship much sooner than anticipated.
Promoter Turki Alalshikh’s ambitions for Itauma are clear. He wants a blockbuster Usyk-Itauma clash, and the boxing world is listening. Itauma, for his part, is taking a pragmatic approach. He knows that experience matters, and he has floated Jermaine Franklin as a potential opponent to help him gain more rounds before stepping up to the elite level. "Joseph Parker, Agit Kabayel, and Oleksandr Usyk are good names, but I know the team want me to get rounds in before I get to those names. The boring answer is Jermaine Franklin, only because he will get me some rounds," Itauma told Boxing News.
Despite his humility, it’s hard to ignore the groundswell of support and expectation. Itauma’s youth, power, and composure have the boxing world believing he could be a world champion within the next year. And with Fury, a man who has held every major belt, predicting that Itauma will "wreck" not just Usyk but all the division’s elder statesmen, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the heavyweight division braces for a changing of the guard, all eyes are on Moses Itauma. Will he get his shot at the undisputed crown? Will Usyk, the indomitable champion, grant him the opportunity before hanging up his gloves? Or will the ever-patient Parker or the rugged Kabayel stand in his way?
One thing’s for certain: after his explosive victory in Riyadh and with the endorsement of Tyson Fury, Moses Itauma is no longer just a prospect. He’s the man every heavyweight has to watch—and perhaps, the one who could finally topple the great Oleksandr Usyk.
