I get that Itauma is exciting and looks like the real deal, but boy oh boy is the hype train already speeding off the tracks. Watch every Itauma fight and they all go the exact same way. Overmatched cab driver, usually an old/washed guy, stands directly in front of Itauma and hardly moves. They don't throw punches. They don't move their head much, if at all. Then Itauma tees off on them with super fast punches. They back straight up to the ropes and cower/cover up. Itauma keeps teeing off with no worry about anything coming back at him. Then the fight is over. Itauma has no idea how to fight on the inside, because he's never had to do it. He has no idea how to clinch up and protect himself, because he's never had to do it. He has no idea how to be defensive except through moving his feet, usually backwards in a straight line, because he's never had to do it. Itauma has no idea how to deal with a fighter that cuts angles against him and employs lateral movement, because he's never been in there with someone that does that. Itauma has no idea how to respond to adversity like getting his bell rung, because he's never had to deal with that before. Yet people want to claim he's ready to wipe out everyone in the HW division, including Usyk. Franklin is a part time construction worker. His claim to fame was lasting the full 12 with an already fading Whyte and an AJ being ultra-careful because he was coming off 2 losses to Usyk. He has no offense and he came in 25 pounds overweight compared to his best shape four years ago. It took Itauma five rounds to clear this journeyman out. Usyk cleared Dubois, a legitimate fighter and belt holder, out in the exact same amount of time. Don't sacrifice this kid to the Ukrainian. Let him beat some legit opponents first.
Please re-read you own post. It clear clearly does indicate that you believed that, which is why I got a couple of likes on the post.
People(and the WBO) taking righteous anger at Usyk and wasting it on someone who is 21 and has 15 years left at the top level is just so wrong. Makes you want to just let Usyk fight his kickboxer and MMA champion out of spite. Usyk should be fighting Kabayel, Frank Sanchez, Hrgovic, Bakole. People like that. Moses Itauma might be the future. The future. Not the present the future.
Franklin was the same caliber as Whyte or even worst since he lost to him. This last fight was pointless
There is no anger at Moses, but "righteous" skepticism. You are conflating issues. It has nothing to do with Usyk. The issue is that Moses has beaten two gatekeepers, fights infrequently, avoids good fighters (Sanches and Gassiev) and gives these bizarre interviews that indicate that something is wrong with him (how many times did he say, "I don't know how to answer that," yesterday?), and he is being pushed as heir apparent. We are hearing phrases like, "He's only 21 and he just did that!" when he hasn't done anything. People are calling for blood because he is not in the Usyk lottery, when he is #1 contender (and unfairly at that) only for Wardley and Gassiev. He looks to have great offensive skills, mediocre defensive skills, poor stamina, and something slightly mentally off about him. If you don't smell something wrong, here, you haven't been watching boxing that long. To me he's a Cooney--not a complete hypejob, but they know something about him they aren't saying.
I said anger at Usyk. I meant using it on Moses as in begging for Moses to get a shot. Opposed to begging for Hrgovic to get a shot. Itauma might be a fixture at the elite level a long time but is unlikely to be the guy. Or isn't more likely to be the guy then anyone else from his generation just because he got to the top first.
Very casual take. Usyk has accomplished everything in boxing and people still find a reason to complain.
How about Ituama fights and beats... idk, anyone in the actual top 10, before getting to cut in line for an undisputed title shot? Wish his fans would have half the desire for him to fight his actual peers as they do for him to fight an inactive 39 year old Usyk. Not sure Ive ever seen such a low ranked fighter get pushed this hard by fans to get an undisputed title shot not just with absolutely zero signature wins, but not a single win against a ranked opponent.
Kirk , when itauma does not deserve a title shot , how does rico verhoeven deserve a title shot ? I think we agree itauma,s legacy in pro hw boxing is light years ahead of rico,s ?