Tony Bellew names next undisputed heavyweight champion and it is not Fury or Joshua

The Briton faces Jermaine Franklin in Manchester later this month, where victory will elevate him up the rankings as he closes in on a world title shot. 

In the American, Itauma is coming up against a formidable opponent who is best known for taking Joshua and Dillian Whyte the 12-round distance. 

Those guiding Itauma’s career are eager for him to be provided with some much-needed rounds, but is Franklin the man to do that?  

Oleksandr Usyk is the current ruler at heavyweight with Fabio Wardley also holding the WBO crown that the Ukrainian relinquished at the backend of 2025. 

Usyk is linked to a showdown with Deontay Wilder, and it is believed that he only has a few more fights left before he calls time on his illustrious career. 

When he does eventually retire, the heavyweight division is expected to open up, but Bellew is insistent that Itauma is the man who will step up and fill the void left by his former rival. 

“Oleksandr Usyk’s just going to walk away into the sunset, and he’s going to go ‘I’ve had enough,’ said Bellew when speaking to Football Blog . 

“When he does, you will find them all scavenged towards the belts, and then you will find lesser champions and then somebody else will come along. Hence, Moses Itauma, and he will clean up again. And then you will have a reigning, undisputed unified champion again.”

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