Oleksandr Usyk has many “bigger” fights on the horizon than what is currently on the table, according to a prominent boxing promoter.
Linked most notably with a defense of his undisputed heavyweight crown against WBO champion Joseph Parker, unbeaten megastar Oleksandr Usyk received an extension amid injury to negotiate a fight with the Kiwi.
However, with the Ukrainian star ordered to fight either Parker or incoming foe Fabio Wardley next, his motivation to take either of those fights has been called into question.
Furthermore, a promoter has also claimed that a bigger fight against an unbeaten starlet is a much better option for Usyk in the immediate future.
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Eddie Hearn weighs up Oleksandr Usyk’s next fight
Booking Usyk’s pair of mega fights with former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has questioned the “motivation” of the Ukrainian star.
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Achieving undisputed heavyweight champion status twice already, Usyk has been sidelined since his knockout win over Daniel Dubois earlier this summer.
And with a fight against either Parker or Wardley likely next, Usyk has been urged to consider facing the unbeaten Moses Itauma, in what Hearn believes is the much “bigger” fight.
“If I had (Oleksandr) Usyk, again, I would be saying, ‘What are we actually — do you wanna fight Joseph Parker? Where’s the motivation? It’s a tough fight; the money is not great. And you’re just defending your title. Does it motivate you, that fight?’
“Joe is from New Zealand, Moses (Itauma) is from the UK,” Hearn continued. “And there’s a lot of momentum behind him [Itauma].”
Moses Itauma inching closer to title fight with Oleksandr Usyk
And receiving backing to earn a showdown with Usyk, unbeaten prospect Itauma is set to receive an IBF title eliminator — a title currently held by the Ukrainian.
Set to draft into the top spot, Itauma is reportedly set to benefit from the failed pairing of Frank Sanchez and Efe Ajagba, which has now fallen to the wayside.
Furthermore, the Slovakian-born prospect already sits in high standing with the WBO, who have ordered that Usyk must fight their champion next, sitting just one spot behind interim champion Parker in the governing body’s official rankings at number one.
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