Oleksandr Usyk defeated the Brit Daniel Dubois in his last fight in July.
The heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, has ruled out a fight against young British boxer Moses Itauma, but has confirmed that he is training and will return to the ring next year.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) secured a knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in July, reclaiming his undisputed heavyweight crown. This victory allowed him to regain the IBF belt, which he had vacated last year, in a fight held at Wembley Stadium.
The WBO had ordered Usyk to face interim champion Joseph Parker, but negotiations did not prosper, as Usyk declared he was injured and needed time out of the ring.
Parker will face Fabio Wardley in London on October 25.Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in August.
Usyk has revealed that he has resumed his training, but will not face Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) in his next fight.
“No, I will not fight Itauma. He is young… he is always provoking me. And he himself said that he doesn’t hit grandfathers,” Usyk declared to Ready to Fight.
“I can’t say exactly who, because negotiations are ongoing. I would be lying if I gave you a name.”
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Itauma is considered one of the most promising prospects in world boxing, with 11 knockouts in 13 fights. In his last fight, he achieved a remarkable victory by knocking out Dillian Whyte in the first round in August.
Usyk, 38 years old, plans to return to the ring in 2026, but his opponent has not yet been decided.
“I will fight until I am 41 years old. Then I will build a sports academy; I will train there and train others,” he said.
