Lennox Lewis Advises Itauma to Wait: 'Too Soon to Face Usyk'

Lennox Lewis Weighs In on Potential Usyk-Itauma Clash

According to Главком: Former world champion Lennox Lewis has shared his thoughts on a potential fight between Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and the young British prospect Moses Itauma. Lewis, a respected voice in the sport, acknowledged Itauma's talent but cautioned that the timing is not right for such a high-stakes match. He stated that while Itauma is a 'fantastic young fighter with character,' he is not yet ready to compete with a seasoned veteran like Usyk.

If I were him, I would wait until Usyk retires and then declare: I rule the heavyweight division. It's far too early to meet him in the ring.

Lennox Lewis

Career Paths of Moses Itauma and Oleksandr Usyk

Moses Itauma, a 21-year-old boxer, made his professional debut in 2023. He boasts an undefeated record of 14 wins, 12 of which came by knockout. Oleksandr Usyk last fought in May 2025, where he became the undisputed world champion for a second time by defeating Daniel Dubois. However, Usyk subsequently vacated the WBO title, relinquishing his undisputed status. The World Boxing Organization received an official notification from Usyk's team regarding the WBO heavyweight title.

After careful consideration, Usyk has decided to relinquish his championship status.

WBO

Oleksandr Usyk's next bout is scheduled for 20.04.2026. His opponent will be Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, and the fight will take place in Giza, Egypt. This crossover event is generating significant interest in the combat sports world.

Lewis's comments underscore the critical role of experience in professional boxing, where a single fight can dramatically alter a fighter's trajectory. Itauma, despite his impressive start, has ample time for development before facing elite champions like Usyk. For his part, Usyk remains a dominant figure in the sport, maintaining his status as one of the premier heavyweights while attracting global attention to his future contests.

As the boxing landscape continues to evolve, the aspirations of emerging talents like Moses Itauma highlight the potential for future matchups with established champions. In this context, two other British boxers are also making waves, setting their sights on Oleksandr Usyk. Their ambitions and possible timelines for a fight could reshape the heavyweight division. To learn more about these contenders and their plans, read about the British boxers eyeing a clash with Usyk.