Tyson Fury has fought some of the best boxers of his generation – but he has playfully rejected the idea of facing Moses Itauma.
‘The Gyspy King’ is set to rematch Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 after falling to the first defeat of his professional career against the Ukrainian slickster in May.
Tyson Fury rates Moses Itauma highlyInstagram – Moses Itauma
Fury and Usyk are currently the two top-rated fighters in boxing’s glamour division while most feel British teenage sensation Itauma will take their place once they eventually hang up their gloves.
The 19-year-old moved to 10-0 as a professional in July with a vicious stoppage victory over Polish veteran Mariusz Wach.
And his destructive all-action style has led to him being branded ‘Britain’s Mike Tyson‘ by the national press.
Back in April, Fury was asked to map out his final run of fights after boldly claiming that he would compete 10 more times before hanging up his gloves.
When asked by TNT Sports whether Itauma could be one of his possible opponents, the Mancunian quipped: “No, definitely not!
“Do you think I’m stupid? No, no no…”
Fury has always been extremely complimentary of Itauma and has backed him to make it to the top of the pile once he eventually calls it quits.
Uploading a photo of him and Itauma in the ring after a sparring session, he wrote: “@m.itauma (Moses Itauma) is the future of the heavyweight division.”
Itauma was drafted in as a southpaw sparring partner for Fury’s inaugural encounter with Usyk.
After sharing some rounds with the two-time heavyweight champion, Itauma insisted he was a ‘marmite fighter’.
GettyItauma is 10-0 with 8 KOs and is expected to become Britain’s next great heavyweight[/caption]
He told talkSPORT Drive: “Obviously I was in Tyson’s camp, he was very Marmite in sparring.
“Some days he’d do good but in some he’d been unbelievable.
“It honestly depends on what version of Fury turns up.
“If the one sparring on good days turns up he will have a very easy night with Usyk.
“As I say he’s very Marmite, he could have a bad day in sparring and I feel like the Francis Ngannou fight was a very bad day.”
Itauma is expected to feature on the Usyk vs Fury II undercard in Saudi Arabia in what he describes as a ‘a big step-up’ fight.
An opponent is yet to be announced but after making quick work of Wach, he will likely box fringe world level opposition.
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