Oleksandr Usyk has no interest in fighting Moses Itauma, here's why

Uysk has begun training for his WBC heavyweight title defence against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23, with the contest set to take place in front of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. 

After becoming a two-time undisputed champion at heavyweight, Usyk has every right to choose who he wants to face and when, but it's surprising that Itauma does not feature in the Ukrainian's plans. 

Usyk does not want to 'break' Itauma

Appearing on Monday's episode of Inside The Ring, Usyk did tease his future with retirement quickly coming into view. 

The Ukrainian revealed that he would fight three more times before saying goodbye to boxing, and this run starts on May 23 against Verhoeven. 

Beyond that bout, Usyk wants to face the winner of the WBO heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, before facing Tyson Fury for a third time. 

Usyk taking on the winner of Wardley-Dubois is an exciting prospect, but a trilogy meeting with Fury feels unnecessary, especially with Usyk beating 'The Gypsy King' twice previously. 

Fight fans would rather see Usyk take on the heavyweight division's hottest rising star, Itauma, who is destined for major honours and returns to action on March 28, live on DAZN. 

Taking on Jermaine Franklin in Manchester, a win for Itauma would see him in the mix for a world title, but it looks like that will not be against Usyk. 

When asked by Max Kellerman as to whether he would fight Itauma, Usyk explained that he would not want to 'break' an opponent who idolises him. 

"I’m not going to fight Itauma because he is a young guy," Usyk said. 

"I don’t want to break him because this guy likes me."

Does Usyk consider himself the greatest Ukrainian boxer?

When Usyk calls time on his career, he will go down as one of, if not the best boxer to come out of Ukraine. 

He is part of an illustrious group of fighters, which includes the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, and Vasiliy Lomachenko, but when it comes to being named the best ever, this is an accolade Usyk has no interest in receiving. 

"I don’t think about this. For me, I’m a boxer that helps my country," Usyk continued.

"God gave me a gift, and I do it. I love boxing, I love life."

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