Oleksandr Usyk is currently plotting his next move in the heavyweight division.
The Ukrainian southpaw became undisputed in the weight class for a second time earlier this year when he stopped Daniel Dubois inside five rounds at Wembley Stadium.
Usyk now boasts two victories over Dubois, after also doing the double against both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Many feel that it would be the perfect moment to call time on an incredible career, but the man himself has insisted he will be fighting on.
Rather than face mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley — a match-up Usyk says does not interest him at this stage — he vacated the WBO title and saw the Brit elevated to full world champion.
On the other top contenders, the 38-year-old from Simferopol is being similarly picky. Speaking recently to UNN, Usyk said that a fight with rising star Moses Itauma does not interest him.
“[Fight] With Itauma? I won’t fight him. He’s young. He’s still pushing me. And he said he doesn’t hit old men.”
Itauma, 20, is 13-0 with 11 knockouts and will face the durable Jermaine Franklin later this month. He may then look to face the winner of WBA Regular Champion Kubrat Pulev’s defence against Murat Gassiev. Though he has said he is ready to challenge Usyk, an Itauma reign, which many are predicting will be a long and successful one, may not cross over with the great Ukrainian’s.
Instead, Usyk has called out Deontay Wilder, seemingly intent on clearing up all the ‘big names’ from his era even despite the American being inactive and struggling to find the fearsome form that once saw him reign as WBC Champion for almost half a decade.