Unbeaten heavyweight star Oleksandr Usyk may only have a few fights remaining in his career, but a promoter wants to see him share the ring with a particular star before it’s all said and done.
Sidelined through a back injury, undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been tied most heavily to a showdown with Joseph Parker next.
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However, amid his injury setback, the Ukrainian is out of action for the foreseeable future, with Kiwi star Parker pivoting to a return to the ring in just a month’s time.
But before the curtain on his career falls, the history-making Usyk has been urged to take on a force from his former cruiserweight stomping ground.
Oleksandr Usyk urged to fight Australian knockout star
Most recently racking up his second undisputed heavyweight title run, Ukrainian megastar Usyk took out Daniel Dubois in their rematch, launching a hellacious fifth-round knockout in July.
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And with Parker potentially waiting in the wings, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested Usyk should wait around for the unbeaten Wyong native Jai Opetaia before retiring.
While Opetaia has already shut down a heavyweight move with his latest bout agreement, the Aussie finisher has been backed to put an eventual undisputed cruiserweight belt on his shoulder before facing Usyk.
“People keep talking about Jai (Opetaia) moving to heavyweight, and I think he should,” Hearn told The Stomping Ground. “And I think he will. But, he’s got so much more to do and give at cruiserweight.
“…Then if he can become undisputed cruiserweight champion, I think he can fight (Oleksandr) Usyk,” Hearn continued. “What a fight that is. The undisputed heavyweight world champion versus the undisputed cruiserweight world champion.”
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But while Usyk has been urged to fight Opetaia before he likely retires from boxing, another unbeaten prospect has been urged to wait until the Ukrainian hangs up his gloves before chasing the undisputed crown.
Moses Itauma offered advice on Oleksandr Usyk blockbuster
Improving to 13-0 just a month ago in the Middle East, emerging knockout talent Moses Itauma has been tied to an eventual fight with Usyk in a bid to topple the Olympic gold medalist.
However, according to former undisputed heavyweight kingpin Lennox Lewis, Itauma should really consider his chances if pitted with Usyk soon — instead, urging him to wait for his retirement.
“It’s way too soon,” Lewis told Sky Sports of a fight between Usyk and Itauma. “It’s better to wait until he retires. He [Usyk]’s not going to stay around too long and then take your shot.
“There’s no use doing it now. Right now you’re learning. You’re learning everything, and you have to wait for the right time.
“You can never be rushed. If you’re rushed, you’re going to do a bad result for your career, so it’s better to take your time and take it when it’s ready, when you’re ready.”