The heavyweight division has always thrived on shock, drama, and larger-than-life personalities. And just when fans thought they had the story figured out — a 20-year-old prodigy in Moses Itauma charging toward Oleksandr Usyk’s throne — the script took a wild twist. Not only did Itauma walk away from an IBF eliminator fight that could have made him Usyk’s mandatory challenger, but now a different American contender is suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Even more intriguing? Boxing legend Lennox Lewis has thrown in his opinion and named the only heavyweight he believes stands a real chance of dethroning Usyk — and it’s not who you think.

The Itauma Shock: Why Did He Walk Away?

At just 20 years old, Moses Itauma looked like the next great heavyweight hope. Undefeated, explosive, and already the WBO’s No. 1-ranked contender, he seemed destined to march straight into the path of Usyk. But when the IBF offered him a final eliminator bout against the dangerous Frank Sanchez — a Cuban technician with serious pedigree — Itauma stunned the boxing world by rejecting the fight. Why? That question has haunted fight fans ever since. After all, Itauma wasn’t just next in line.

He was handed the kind of golden opportunity that most prospects dream about: win against Sanchez, and you punch your ticket to a world title shot against the undisputed champion. Instead, Itauma extended his unbeaten record by demolishing veteran Dillian Whyte in August, then pivoted away from the IBF route entirely. Did his camp believe Sanchez was too risky, too soon? Or was this simply a strategic move to protect his momentum? Fans can’t stop speculating.

Enter Richard Torrez Jr: America’s Sudden Hope

With Itauma out of the picture, the IBF quickly shifted gears. The opportunity fell to Richard Torrez Jr, the American heavyweight who captured hearts with his Olympic performances and his fan-friendly style. Ranked just behind Itauma, Torrez has now been offered the Sanchez fight. If he accepts, the winner will become Usyk’s IBF mandatory challenger. But here’s where it gets interesting: Sanchez has already said yes.

The Cuban slickster, trained by Eddy Reynoso of Canelo Alvarez fame, is eager to secure his shot at the belt. Torrez, however, has yet to agree to terms. Which leads to the obvious question: does Torrez truly believe he can handle Sanchez’s slick footwork, sharp counters, and veteran experience? Or will he, too, decide that now is not the time to risk everything?

Frank Sanchez: The Dark Horse Nobody Wants

Behind the curtain of boxing politics, there’s one truth insiders keep repeating — nobody really wants to fight Frank Sanchez. With 25 wins, just one loss complicated by a knee injury, and a reputation as one of the slickest heavyweights alive, Sanchez has quietly built a resume that terrifies managers and matchmakers alike.

His co-manager has even admitted that fighters are not lining up to take him on. He dismantled Efe Ajagba with ease in the past, and his technical style is considered a nightmare matchup for raw, explosive prospects. Is it possible that Itauma and Ajagba both saw the writing on the wall and chose to wait rather than risk being exposed? Sanchez, meanwhile, smells blood. With the Reynoso team in his corner and a burning desire to prove himself on the biggest stage, he’s determined to secure that mandatory shot.

Usyk’s Next Move: Injuries, Delays, and New Opportunities

At the center of this drama, of course, sits Oleksandr Usyk — the undefeated master boxer who currently holds the IBF, WBO, WBA, and IBO heavyweight titles. Usyk had originally been ordered to defend his WBO belt against Joseph Parker, but after suffering an injury, he was granted an extension.

That twist left Parker to face Britain’s Fabio Wardley instead on October 25 in London, a fight that will capture plenty of U.K. attention but does nothing to determine Usyk’s immediate future. According to Usyk’s promotional team, he’s currently recovering and considering “new opportunities” for a massive undisputed title fight. Which begs the question: who will be waiting for him when he steps back into the ring? A seasoned technician like Sanchez? A young American knockout artist like Torrez? Or someone else entirely?

Lennox Lewis Drops the Bombshell

Just as the division looked like it was spiraling into chaos, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis stepped into the conversation. Known for his brutally honest takes and his ability to spot real talent, Lewis shocked fans when he named the one heavyweight he believes could actually dethrone Usyk.

It wasn’t Itauma. It wasn’t Sanchez. It wasn’t even Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury. Lewis instead pointed to an underappreciated contender with the style, size, and stamina to truly trouble the Ukrainian master. Who is this mystery fighter — and what does Lewis see that others don’t?

Why This Matters: The Usyk Puzzle

To understand the weight of Lewis’s words, you have to understand what makes Usyk so special. At 37, he’s not the youngest fighter in the division, but he has something that many heavyweights lack: flawless footwork, ring IQ, and a style honed from years of dominating at cruiserweight. He neutralized Anthony Joshua twice.

He frustrated Tyson Fury in ways few thought possible. And he remains unbeaten after 22 professional fights. Beating Usyk requires more than just power. You need discipline, patience, and the ability to cut off the ring without falling into his traps. That’s why when Lewis names one man who has a chance, people listen.

The Heavyweight Landscape: A Division in Flux

Look around the division right now and you’ll see nothing but shifting sands. Tyson Fury’s future remains uncertain. Anthony Joshua is still rebuilding his aura after back-to-back defeats to Usyk.

Deontay Wilder’s stock has plummeted after crushing losses. Meanwhile, younger names like Jared Anderson, Arslanbek Makhmudov, and yes, Moses Itauma, are knocking on the door but still learning their craft. That leaves room for surprises, upsets, and unlikely heroes. Could the man Lennox Lewis believes in be the one to flip the script on Usyk’s dominance?

Fans Can’t Stop Debating

Social media has erupted since Lewis made his comment. Some fans agree, arguing that Usyk’s age and recent injury could finally open the door for a fresh challenger. Others insist that Usyk remains untouchable, too skilled for anyone in the current crop. But the one thing everyone can agree on is this: the heavyweight division feels alive again. With Itauma’s shocking decision, Torrez’s possible rise, Sanchez’s looming danger, and Usyk’s uncertain return, there are more storylines than ever before.

What’s Next?

The boxing world now waits on several fronts. Will Richard Torrez Jr accept the Sanchez fight and risk everything for a chance at glory? Will Frank Sanchez finally get the big-name opportunity he’s been craving?

Will Moses Itauma regret his decision to pass on the eliminator — or will he carve his own path through the WBO? And most importantly, when Usyk returns from injury, who will stand across from him in the ring? The answer could change the entire landscape of heavyweight boxing.

Conclusion: A Division at the Edge of History

Boxing fans love drama, and right now the heavyweight division is delivering it in spades. From Lennox Lewis’s shocking declaration to Moses Itauma’s puzzling decision, from Frank Sanchez’s relentless pursuit to Usyk’s careful recovery, every thread feels like it’s pulling toward an explosive climax. One thing is clear: the road to Usyk is not for the faint of heart. And if Lewis is right, only one man may truly have what it takes to finally solve the puzzle of Oleksandr Usyk.

Until then, the speculation will rage, the debates will burn, and the heavyweight division will remain exactly what it has always been: boxing’s ultimate theater of unpredictability.