Oleksandr Usyk has finally spoken — and when the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world speaks, the boxing world listens. The Ukrainian maestro has made it clear that he will not fight rising British prospect Moses Itauma, at least not anytime soon. But the same statement came with a revelation that sent ripples through the sport: “Negotiations are underway” for his next return.
Behind that calm smile and humble tone lies a man who knows exactly how to control the story. Usyk is not just one of boxing’s smartest tacticians inside the ring — he’s also one of its sharpest minds outside it. And right now, he’s playing the game perfectly.
Usyk Shuts Down Itauma Rumors
When asked about a potential fight with Itauma, Usyk was blunt: “No, I will not fight him. He’s too young.” Simple words, but heavy with meaning. To some, that sounded like Usyk brushing off the challenge of a dangerous young fighter. To others, it was the voice of experience, the calculated discipline of a champion who understands the rhythm of a long career.
Moses Itauma, at just 20 years old, is one of Britain’s most talked-about heavyweight prospects. Unbeaten, explosive, and confident beyond his years, Itauma has been calling for big names — even the biggest of them all. Yet Usyk’s response shows he has no interest in entertaining that callout, not now.
For him, it’s not about fear. It’s about focus. Usyk is a master strategist. Every move in his career has been deliberate — from his run through the cruiserweight division to dethroning Anthony Joshua, to conquering Tyson Fury and unifying the belts. He’s not about to break that pattern for a fighter who, while talented, has not yet proven himself on the world stage.
The Champion’s Strategy: Patience, Power, and Precision
Usyk’s refusal is more than just a decision about one opponent — it’s a statement of career strategy. At 38, the Ukrainian champion is at a stage where every fight must count. He’s no longer the hungry underdog chasing belts; he’s the man everyone else is chasing.
That means he doesn’t move unless the stakes are monumental. A fight with Itauma, for all its fan buzz, simply doesn’t fit that bill. The young Brit may carry potential, but he lacks legacy value. Usyk’s name already belongs among the greats — Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, the Klitschko brothers — and each remaining bout must protect or elevate that standing.
What Usyk wants next is purpose: a defining fight, one that adds to his legend, not just his record. And from his careful wording — “negotiations are underway” — it’s clear that something major is brewing behind the scenes.
The Negotiation Game: Who’s on the Table?
So, who could Usyk be negotiating with?
Several names instantly jump out, each with different implications:
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Tyson Fury – The most obvious option. Their rivalry already made history, and a trilogy fight could generate astronomical pay-per-view numbers. Fury, after his loss and mental-health hiatus, has hinted that he wants redemption. Usyk, too, would relish a chance to silence doubts about their split-decision classic once and for all.
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Joseph Parker – The quiet Kiwi is coming off a surge of impressive performances, including victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. The WBO has ordered Usyk to face the winner of Parker vs. Fabio Wardley. It’s a mandatory fight that could be both lucrative and legacy-solidifying.
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A Wild Card – Usyk is known to surprise. He could choose a lesser-known name to stay active while bigger negotiations mature. This would frustrate fans but could make sense strategically to avoid long layoffs.
Regardless of who ends up across from him, the fact that negotiations are happening now means the champion is already setting the stage for another defining night.
Itauma’s Rise — and Why Usyk Isn’t Taking the Bait
While Usyk’s decision makes sense, it also raises questions about Itauma’s rapid rise. The British prodigy has been aggressively pushed as boxing’s next big thing, with highlight-reel knockouts and a charisma that sells tickets. But he’s still learning.
Usyk, who spent years building his résumé across multiple weight classes, recognizes that experience can’t be skipped. Fighting a legend too early can make or break a career — and history has plenty of cautionary tales.
Insiders in the boxing community have already warned Itauma to “wait his turn.” He’s talented, yes, but raw. Facing someone like Usyk before reaching his full maturity could be disastrous. It’s not fear that keeps them apart; it’s wisdom.
By refusing the fight now, Usyk may actually be protecting the sport’s future — giving Itauma time to grow before a potential showdown that could truly mean something years down the line.
Behind the Scenes: The Politics of Heavyweight Boxing
To understand why Usyk’s next step is so complicated, you have to understand the machinery of modern boxing. Titles, mandatories, promotional alliances, and broadcasting deals all collide in ways that make “simple” fights impossible.
Usyk is currently the undisputed champion — meaning he holds all four major belts (WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF). That also means four different sanctioning bodies are constantly pressuring him to defend against their top contenders. It’s a bureaucratic maze that even legends struggle to navigate.
The WBO’s latest order forces Usyk to face the winner of Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley. The IBF, meanwhile, could soon strip him if he doesn’t defend against its mandatory challenger. All of this limits his freedom to choose fights based purely on excitement or money.
And yet, that’s exactly where Usyk thrives — in chaos. His team, led by promoter Alexander Krassyuk, has mastered the art of negotiation. Every delay, every rumor, every cryptic interview fuels anticipation. It’s not by accident. It’s part of the plan.
The Psychological Game: Usyk the Thinker
What separates Oleksandr Usyk from most fighters isn’t just his skill set — it’s his mindset. He’s cerebral, calm, and always three steps ahead. Whether it’s feinting in the ring or managing public expectations, Usyk treats boxing like chess.
Declining to fight Itauma isn’t a dismissal — it’s a move. By refusing to give specifics about his next opponent, he keeps every rival guessing. Is it Fury? Parker? Someone else entirely? That uncertainty forces promoters to stay interested, sponsors to stay on edge, and fans to keep talking.
In the world of modern combat sports, mystery sells. And no one does mystery better than Usyk.
The Fan Reaction: Respect, Doubt, and Curiosity
Fans are divided, as they always are in boxing. Some admire Usyk’s discipline and understanding of timing. Others accuse him of “avoiding” the new generation. But whatever side they take, they’re talking — and that’s the point.
Social media exploded after his comments, with debate threads running thousands of replies deep. Was he protecting his legacy, or protecting himself? Was it wisdom or fear? The truth probably lies somewhere in between: a bit of both, shaped by experience and intelligence.
For a fighter who’s already unified two divisions and dethroned multiple world champions, Usyk has nothing left to prove. Yet somehow, he keeps fans desperate for more.
What Comes Next: Timelines and Predictions
Here’s what the coming months may look like, based on the current chessboard:
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Late October 2025: Joseph Parker faces Fabio Wardley in a WBO-mandated bout. The winner likely becomes Usyk’s next opponent.
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November–December 2025: Negotiations continue with multiple camps. A Fury trilogy remains financially tempting, though complex due to broadcast rights.
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Early 2026: Usyk returns to the ring — either for a mandatory defense or a blockbuster unification finale before potential retirement.
Insiders suggest Usyk plans two more fights before hanging up his gloves. If true, every bout from now on carries monumental weight.
Why the Itauma Story Still Matters
Even if it doesn’t happen soon, Usyk vs. Itauma remains one of the sport’s most compelling potential narratives. It’s the archetypal generational clash: wisdom versus youth, legacy versus ambition.
Itauma, still maturing, could dominate the division once Usyk steps away. The Ukrainian, meanwhile, might one day pass the torch willingly. Whether that happens in 2026 or 2030, the seed has been planted.
Usyk may have said “no” for now — but in boxing, “not now” rarely means “never.”
The Champion Plays His Hand
Oleksandr Usyk’s recent statement wasn’t just another sound bite. It was a strategic declaration — a master class in how champions manage both their image and their options.
He’s reminded everyone that he calls his own shots, that youth and ambition don’t dictate his legacy. He’s reaffirmed his control over the sport’s most unpredictable division. And he’s done it all with a smile, a calm tone, and a single phrase that continues to echo across the boxing world:
“Negotiations are underway.”
Whatever emerges from those negotiations — a Fury trilogy, a Parker showdown, or something entirely unexpected — one thing is certain: Oleksandr Usyk remains the grandmaster of heavyweight chess, and the rest of the division is still trying to catch up.
