Should Usyk fight Itauma before retiring?

Usyk, earlier this year, told the Ring: “I don’t want to fight Itauma because he’s a young guy. I don’t want to break this guy.”

I recall Wlad Klitschko was similarly dismissive in not really wanting to fight Tyson Fury. There are some other similarities though. (Besides both coming from Ukraine) Both Wlad and Usyk were/are old champions.

When Wlad won his Olympic Gold, Tyson Fury had just turned 8 years old. Then, after reigning for nearly a decade, showing signs of slippage against Jennings, Fury got his chance against the old lion. That win for Fury, not only transferred lineage but allowed a new era to begin.

When Usyk won Olympic Gold, Itauma was similarly 7 going on 8 years old. Itauma is now 21 years old. And notably he wouldn't even be the youngest champion if he beat Usyk.

So,
Before retiring, should Usyk grant him that same opportunity that Fury received from Wlad?

Obviously Kabayel is next in line, but boxing history would be quite different with champions potentially ruling out facing certain young contenders. On the one hand, some would like to see Usyk retire undefeated. On the other, others would like to see the champion fight on to pass the mantle.

What do you think?

 

Can I ask what you mean by viable?
I suspect that financially it already is, and Itauma has a high rankings with various orgs

 

I'm not sure it is quite as clear cut.

Cunningham was under the WBC - a route to Vitali.

Fury was WBO mandatory for Wlad. He beat Chisora II and Christian Hammer in impressive fashion to get there. Though he did fall foul of PED issues for the Hammer fight. Going into the Wlad fight he was the underdog. Which made his win even more special.

On the other hand, Itauma has a high ranking from cleaning out guys who are passed their best or just never were legit contenders - a similar route Dubois took with the WBA under Warren - so I agree that is a weaker run so far compared to Fury's short WBO route to Wlad at present. But Usyk should be fighting Kabayel next, so there is time for Itauma to get another win, maybe two (to show he deserves a shot)

I agree, he needs another win really, preferably against someone like Hrgovic, but he already has a high enough ranking to make him viable.

Hrgovic could be the perfect acid test for him.

 

Completely agree that Kabayel (WBC) should be next up. The WBA will likely be due soon after.

Hypothetically speaking, without getting to far ahead of ourselves if Itauma was to win this proposed Hrgovic fight, and followed it up by then fighting Gassiev for the WBA (though for whatever reason they seemingly ducked that fight). That would be one route that is opening up.

 

Well it seems those older top HW's arent really going to get a shot (at Usyk, anyway).

Hopefully Kabayel does. Possibly Gassiev (or whoever holds the WBA) might, but will Sanchez (IBF #1) or even guys like Hrgovic? Seems unlikely with the time Usyk will need to prep for fights.

If Hrgovic beats Itauma that might help him