Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk should crown boxing’s next undisputed world heavyweight champion, but it could also feature a future king in the shape of Moses Itauma.
WBC and lineal champion Fury (34-0-1) and IBF, WBA and WBO champion Usyk (21-0) will put all of their belts on the line in a mouthwatering showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17. But it’s not just the main event which carries a ton of intrigue.
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The undercard for this eagerly-awaited ‘Ring of Fire’ card in the desert also has some terrific fights, and potentially some terrific fighters, on show. They include the man recently tabbed by Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren as ‘the next big thing’ in the fight game’s marquee weight class.
Nineteen-year-old prodigy Itauma has drawn rave reviews in building a perfect 7-0 professional CV, and the stories of his prowess in sparring some of the fight game’s top names is already the stuff of legend.
Itauma set for Fury vs Usyk gig
Now the precocious teenage giant from Chatham in Kent will continue his ring education on the Fury vs Usyk undercard on February 17, as he matches up with Ilja Mezencev in an eight-rounder.
Clearly Itauma has no intention of wasting time in his race to the top, with his stated ambition to become the youngest world heavyweight champion ever. That record is currently held by a certain Mike Tyson at 20 years and four months.
Itauma is not the only intriguing name on the Fury vs Usyk undercard, with cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia rematching Mairis Briedis, while Joe Cordina will defend his IBF Super-Featherweight crown against Anthony Cacace.
Sergey Kovalev meanwhile will meet Robin Sirwan Safar at cruiserweight while Isaac Lowe takes on Hasibullah Ahmadi at featherweight.
