Usyk need to stop avoiding Itauma

I don't mind Usyk's choice for next three opponents, he's nearing retirement and has nothing left to prove. If he doesn't want to fight Itauma, that's fine IMO. The issue is that he has yet to vacate the belts, which he should do if he's not gonna be fighting the current top contenders.

 

But the point that I made is specifically that he swerved Gassiev and Sanchez. That is independent of anything Uysk has done.

 

And my counter point which is more relevant to this thread (that Usyk is named in) is that Usyk is avoiding his mandatories in order to fight non boxers, so whether or not Itauma decides to become the #1 WBA guy becomes largely irrelevant if it leads to a dead end like it did for Parker and Kabayel.

His team opting not to proceed with Gassiev and Sanchez to provide a better test in the form of Franklin isn't as egregious as you're trying to make it out to be. Even if Itauma proceeds to fight Hunter, that's still a better opponent than Rico.

 

It's not more relevant. He doesn't want Usyk. He's nowhere near Usyk and he knows it. If he wanted Usyk, he'd of taken one of the multiple paths he has had to him.

 

Everyone wants Usyk because he holds the keys to undisputed along with most of the titles and glory.

You're right in that he's nowhere near ready, but that doesn't absolve Usyk's behavior in the division either.

 

So we are getting towards an agreement.

But the thread is not about Usyk's behavior writ large, its about him ducking Itauma, and no such thing is happening. It is Itauma that is taking the paths of avoidance right now. That is the point, here.

If you want to talk about Usyk in general, I have said over and again--I would rather he was fighting Kabayel, Wardely, or even Parker next, and expect him to do so this year, but I am going to watch Rico and enjoy it for what it is.

But no, he's not ducking Itauma, who's name is not in the hat.

 

Itauma should fight Gassiev to see if he's worthy of Usyk, because there is no world where Gassiev beats Usyk, just watch the WSB Cruiserweight final to confirm.

Usyk is not ducking Itauma, he is protecting him from a beat down he may not be able to recover from.

 

Every Usyk opponent has rebounded just fine from fighting him so I wouldn't worry on that front.

 

not Fury...nor dubuois? ya...no

 

It's certainly part of the equation. I think it's perfectly fair to point out that Usyk is avoiding legitimate opposition in exchange for money. In my view, the champion sets the standard. I think it's too early to say Usyk is ducking Itauma, but he sure is ducking everyone else at the moment. That deserves criticism and it appears to be in short supply.

I'm personally not tuning in to the absolute sham of a title defense against Rico. Not even Fury took the mic by making his abomination of a fight a title defense. It's an insult to the sport, so it won't be getting my money.

I am however very interested to see where Itauma goes next, he is certainly passing the eye test with flying colours.

 

They seem to be doing just fine.

Dubois scored his best wins after losing to Usyk

 

Yes, he may be avoiding LEGITIMATE opposition, but Itauma is not LEGITIMATE opposition, because, as I am cataloging in real time, he is turning down the fights that would make him so.

He's beaten two gatekeepers, and seems bound to fight a third. He is irrelevant to Usyk.

 

Depends on what you would define as legitimate opposition I guess. Itauma is ranked in the top ten across 4 orgs I believe, and 5th in the RING magazine rankings. In technical terms, the argument exists. He's certainly more proven and deserving than Rico (not a hard bar to clear).

Compared to other heavyweight contenders though I agree, he should be in line and behind a few people pending a solid victory or three.

Hopefully Usyk just retires. I don't really want to wait another year only for him to announce he's facing Wilder or something.

 

He's ranked in the top ten because of hype, but he is #1 in the WBA and WBO. Gassiev is the real WBA #1, and Usyk no longer carries the WBO.

He won't fight Gassiev.

Itauma got nothing to do with it.

 

Gassiev isn't a legitimate opponent by that reasoning, because Usyk is defending his titles against an unranked fighter.

Do you actually want to see that fight between Itauma and Gassiev? Because I don't.