Oleksandr Usyk has proven himself to be the most notable heavyweight of this era, but two-weight world champion David Haye has chosen a division rival who could end the Ukrainian’s reign.
Usyk joined Haye and Evander Holyfield as the third fighter to win a world title at both cruiserweight and heavyweight when he dethroned Anthony Joshua in 2021.
Since then, the Ukrainian southpaw has defeated “AJ” for a second time and twice defeated Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois to cement his legacy as a pound-for-pound great and establish himself as the best heavyweight on the planet.
Speaking to iFL TV, Haye applauded Usyk’s achievements, before declaring that 20-year-old sensation Moses Itauma is the biggest threat to his heavyweight throne.
“He [Itauma] has the best chance of beating him. Even with his inexperience, he has the firepower and brutality to cause all kinds of trouble for anyone.
“I know Usyk is a genius, he’s the best in the world. I’m talking about who has the best chance to beat him, I’m not saying he’s going to beat him. I’m saying who else has a better chance. [than Itauma]?
“Everyone has tried and failed, he’s young, fresh, hungry and he seems to have crazy, heavy hands.
“Remember, Usyk is not a natural heavyweight. He’s a jacked-up heavyweight. He’s done very well to become a heavyweight, but the type of punches Moses throws would knock out any born heavyweight.”
Itauma is expected to return to action in early 2026, after the WBA’s decision to allow Kubrat Pulev to face Murat Gassiev disrupted the Briton’s plans to fight for a third time this year.
