Interesting. He don't want Ituama. I am glad about this because I think its an absurd fight at this juncture, but I would be very curious as to who he is negotiations with. This content is protected
He didn't say he never wanted to fight Itauma. He just said he wasn't going to fight Itauma NEXT. He has several mandatories to clear up. I'll be disappointed if he fights Fury again.
In regards to the negotiations, I'd certainly hope it is the winner of Parker/Wardley. Frank Warren has banged on a lot in the build up about how "winner gets Usyk". Hence Usyk won't specify the name as its two potential names - perhaps?
I am thinking....just my thought here....that the purpose of Parker-Wardley is that either Parker will win, and it will be a re-introduction to the British public for the Usyk fight, or Wardley will win and they will gt a Brit.
Id certainly hope so, might just be negotiations with Warren in general for one of his stable? The alternative is Usyk starts dropping belts and starts fighting for fun/cash instead of for legacy facing the top of the division.
But but but ... he is too injured to even negotiate the wbo title defence until end of the year and thats why he requested and got an extension from wbo ! What negotiations are ongoing ? He is to injured to negotiate !
I have a better question, why the hell should Usyk give some unproven 20-year-old bum killer who doesn't have the balls to face Frank Sanchez, a shot at the lineal title?
Sanchez could beat him. Itauma might be the goods and is probably better than Berlanga but honestly what has he done? Berlanga would probably first round KO an old shot fighter like Whye too. Even if he beat a prime Whyte I wouldn’t be that impressed.
The Parker fight is much more interesting stylistically for Usyk as he hasn't faced too many guys with good footwork/technique/defense. Parker has good timing and decent power when he lets his hands go too, he's one of the most well rounded boxers at HW. The Parker win is also very good for Usyk's resume too as Parker himself has been looking great lately. After the Dubois debacle, I'm not in a hurry to see another unproven young HW rushed to a title shot just to potentially have his career derailed by an early devastating loss. Moses needs more experience and more rounds under his belt like yesterday, he'll be in uncharted waters going the distance, let alone going the distance with a seasoned veteran like Usyk who could potentially drown him late.
I'd say Fury has better footwork/technique and defense than Parker to be honest. Agree that Itauma should be built up slowly and take his time, throwing him straight in against Usyk when he hasn't gone past even 2 rounds with anyone noteworthy is silly. He needs to show he has stamina and a chin.
I don't know if Usyk is currently negotiating with anyone but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a third fight with Fury. If Turki Alalshikh () wants it he'll probably be there. If he does I hope he doesn't have any world titles on the line. My hopes of seeing Usyk face Parker or Kabayel are diminishing. If sporting merit counted one of them should be the Ukrainian champion's next opponent (we'll see how Parker vs. Wardley ends next Saturday). I hope Itauma gets a fight with Usyk, to do that, he'll first have to beat some serious opponents. You can't go from Whyte to Usyk.