Boxing
Former world champion issues Moses Itauma warning over potential Oleksandr Usyk bout
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Moses Itauma should not face Oleksandr Usyk yet despite his brutal win over Dillian Whyte , with Ricky Hatton urging the star to bide his time for a title shot.
The WBO #1 contender dismissed his latest foe inside two minutes of the first round earlier this month to underline his position as the division's rising star.
Afterwards, Itauma entertained chants from the crowd as they urged him to take a bout with Usyk, currently in his second reign as undisputed champion.
But former two-weight world champion Hatton believes the younger star should take a domestic opponent instead, urging him to improve further beforehand.
"I think they might have stepped him up a bit too quick," Hatton told BBC Sport . "It was a very experienced performance, way beyond his years.
"They're talking about Usyk next, woah, let's just hold fire there just a little bit. Usyk will only have a couple [more fights].
"If you look at the heavyweights coming through, it's wide open for Itauma and I think he can clear up. Fabio Wardley or Frazer Clarke are good domestic fights.
"Fighting domestic fights to get your fanbase rising. He has got his fanbase rising all the time, but I think that's what I'd do.
"Hold fire with Usyk because he's going to get even better, so why fight him now? Get a bit better and then fight him."
Usyk will reportedly retire after his next fight, with trilogy bouts against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua mooted as potential options for the Ukrainian.
He was ordered to defend his WBO title against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, but called for an extension on discussions following the announcement.
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