Tyson Fury has publicly ridiculed Oleksandr Usyk for his refusal to fight unbeaten prospect Moses Itauma, dismissing the unified champion’s explanation as “rubbish” and “bulls**t.” The former heavyweight world champion suggested on June 21, 2026, that Usyk’s decision is a calculated financial move rather than a protective gesture toward the 21-year-old rising star.
Oleksandr Usyk, who is approaching 40 years old, previously stated he would not fight Moses Itauma because he did not want to “break” the young fighter. He further joked that Moses Itauma, currently ranked No. 1 by both the WBO and WBA, had remarked he “doesn’t hit grandpas,” a nod to the veteran’s age.
Fury questions Usyk’s motives over Moses Itauma snub
But Tyson Fury believes the reality is far more pragmatic, arguing that the risk-reward equation makes no sense for a champion at this stage of his career.
Tyson Fury argued that Oleksandr Usyk has “all to lose and nothing to gain” from a potential clash with Moses Itauma. He pointed out that if Oleksandr Usyk wins, he has only beaten a “young kid,” but a loss would be at the hands of a 21-year-old.
Tyson Fury believes the lack of a massive global following for Moses Itauma means there is no “big money” to justify the danger.
Key details
The critique comes as Tyson Fury watches the division from the sidelines following his two decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. While Tyson Fury announced his retirement in January, he continues to monitor the movement of his former rival. He specifically noted that Oleksandr Usyk is “coming up to around 40 years old” and is showing signs of being a “spent force.”
This assessment follows Oleksandr Usyk’s recent victory over Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Giza, Egypt. While the unified champion secured an 11th-round stoppage, the fight generated significant debate. Rico Verhoeven was more competitive than expected, and early reports indicated he was ahead 96-94 on one scorecard when the bout ended.
Verhoeven’s performance in Egypt seemingly gave Tyson Fury ammunition to claim Oleksandr Usyk “lost every round against a kickboxer.”
The rise of a young heavyweight lion
Moses Itauma has positioned himself as an unavoidable challenger after a first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in Riyadh. The young Briton is already the mandatory contender for the WBO crown. Saudi Arabian boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is reportedly keen on an Usyk-Itauma bout, though it remains to be seen if the veteran champion will agree.
Tyson Fury described Moses Itauma as “the real deal” and “mustard,” warning that the heavyweight landscape is shifting. He drew parallels to his own past, recalling how he told Wladimir Klitschko that the sport waits for nobody.
“Moses Itauma will wreck all them old men out of the division,” Tyson Fury stated, including Anthony Joshua and Jarrell Miller in his list of fighters who are now past their prime.
Key details
Oleksandr Usyk is currently operating on a three-fight retirement plan that began with the Verhoeven match. His second planned bout involves the winner of the WBO title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois. The ultimate goal is a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury before he retires at approximately age 41 to focus on coaching.
But the administrative side of the sport may force Oleksandr Usyk’s hand sooner. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has ordered a defense against interim champion Agit Kabayel. Promoter Frank Warren has made it clear that Oleksandr Usyk must fight Agit Kabayel or vacate the WBC belt. This pressure adds another layer of complexity for a champion trying to navigate his final years in the ring.
Moses Itauma, meanwhile, is expected to announce his next opponent within the coming weeks. He was previously scheduled to face Jermaine Franklin on March 28 in Manchester, though his future now looks toward much larger prizes. As established names like Shakur Stevenson and others dominate their respective weight classes, Moses Itauma is being groomed as the next era-defining heavyweight.
The heavyweights as a spent force
Tyson Fury remains convinced that the aging guard of the division is vulnerable to the speed and power of youth. He named Zhilei Zhang and Luis Ortiz alongside Anthony Joshua as fighters who are no longer the threats they once were. “Old men can’t mess with young men,” Tyson Fury remarked, suggesting that a single clip on the chin could end a veteran’s career.
The financial reality remains the primary hurdle for Moses Itauma. Tyson Fury admitted that he himself wouldn’t fight “kids” unless the money was right. For Oleksandr Usyk, the decision to avoid Moses Itauma seems to be a mix of tactical preservation and a desire for the most lucrative legacy fights available before he hangs up his gloves.
