Carl Froch gives a damning Oleksandr Usyk vs Moses Itauma verdict

Carl Froch believes Oleksandr Usyk vs Moses Itauma is a bad idea

Moses Itauma (13-0-11 KO’s) is the latest in a long line of heavyweight prospects to be hailed as a potential challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s throne. 

However, there is something different about the young Briton. The manner in which he has dealt with his opponents shows experience beyond his years. His calm and methodical approach to victory has fans sure that he will be the next face of heavyweight boxing. 

Nevertheless, he has yet to face a truly elite opponent. His best victory comes over an aged Dillian Whyte, and while Itauma found himself on the winning end of yet another first-round stoppage, we have yet to see how the 20-year-old will respond when the going gets tough. 

To be fair, that’s hardly his own fault. Itauma has been doing the best with what's in front of him, and he is seemingly struggling to find opponents willing to face his destructive power. 

He was originally scheduled to make his ring return this month, though he was unable to find an adversary before Jermaine Franklin eventually agreed to a January showdown. 

Assuming Itauma puts on another impressive performance, many are starting to wonder if a showdown against Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KO’s) is becoming inevitable. 

However, former world champion Carl Froch has advised the youngster against rushing into a bout against the Ukrainian superstar. 

“You can’t rush Itauma,” Froch stated on his YouTube channel. 

“For me, if I’m managing Itauma, I’m not putting him straight in with Usyk, an old veteran who has hundreds and hundreds of amateur and undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight title fights underneath him.

“That could be the finishing of [Itauma], couldn’t it?”

Usyk is yet to reveal his 2026 plans, having recently vacated the WBO belt, though still in possession of the WBC, WBA and IBF straps.