Itauma eyes Kabayel fight if Usyk vacates heavyweight title

Moses Itauma says he would fight Agit Kabayel for a vacant world heavyweight title if Oleksandr Usyk relinquishes the belt. The 19-year-old prospect first faces Filip Hrgovic before any world title shot.

“If Usyk doesn't fight Kabayel and he relinquishes the title, I would not mind fighting Kabayel if I get past Hrgovic. It's God's timing. Maybe not this year but maybe next year.”

— Moses Itauma, via Sky Sports

What Moses Itauma said

Itauma fights Hrgovic in a heavyweight eliminator that could position the winner for a world title challenge. Usyk holds the unified heavyweight championship but faces pressure to meet his mandatory challenger Kabayel. If Usyk walks away from the belt instead, the sanctioning body would likely order a vacant title fight between the top contenders.

What it moves

Itauma told Sky Sports his timeline is flexible: "If Usyk doesn't fight Kabayel and he relinquishes the title, I would not mind fighting Kabayel if I get past Hrgovic. It's God's timing. Maybe not this year but maybe next year." The statement suggests Itauma sees a path to a title without needing to face Usyk directly. Kabayel remains the most likely next opponent for whoever holds the belt.

Source: skysports.com. Full Moses Itauma fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.