UK Boxing
“Moses gives him hellfire” – Johnny Nelson on Oleksandr Usyk vs. Itauma
Former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson has explained how he views a potential clash between Moses Itauma and Oleksandr Usyk.
Just 21, Itauma has already been mentioned in a conversation with Usyk, but Nelson believes the Ukrainian would be a step too far.
Since turning professional in 2021, Itauma has been a revelation in the heavyweight division.
He has already had some impressive wins on the biggest stage, including a first-round knockout of Dempsey McKean in the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury match.
Nelson talked to Daily mail box about perspective.
“[Itauma’s] nowhere near the finished article. He’s only 21, I think we’ve seen maybe 35% of him.”
Itauma has amassed an impressive 13-0 record, with 11 of those victories coming after the break.
He last saw action in August, when he stopped Dillian Whyte in the first round, which on paper was his biggest test.
“The Bodysnatcher” has competed at the highest level throughout his career.
He fought against heavyweight stars such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker, but was no match for the man from Kent.
After Itauma’s victory in August, General Entertainment Authority president Turki Alalshikh posted on social media that he wanted to see him face Usyk next.
I want to see Usyk against Itauma. This is a fight.
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 19, 2025
Itauma is currently the main WBA challenger to Usyk’s world title.
Nelson also shared his thoughts on the potential fight, insisting it won’t be a one-sided fight.
“I think Moses sent him hellfire, but I don’t think so Usyk is too smart for him.
“I think he’s too intelligent for all of them, but it’s a risky fight for him.
“I would expect Usyk to beat him, but don’t write this boy off.”
“The Cat” will return later this year, and Deontay Wilder seems the most likely opponent for his return.
Itauma was scheduled to return this week and headline the Coop Live Arena, but a torn bicep during camp meant his return was postponed.
He was scheduled to face American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin.
Franklin is coming off a lackluster win over Ivan Dychko after a penniless card in the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford match in September.
The event has been rescheduled for March 28, when Itauma will hope to claim victory after seven months away from the ring.
In 2025, the 21-year-old boxed just over five minutes total in his two wins over Mike Balogun and Dillian Whyte.
The post “Moses Gives Him Hellfire” – Johnny Nelson on the Oleksandr Usyk vs Itauma fight appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Ryan Rozicki is set to return to the ring tomorrow when he faces Chris Billam-Smith live from Bournemouth.
The Billam-Smith vs Rozicki fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Many people know “CBS” as he plans a successful homecoming run, headlining in Bournemouth for the first time since 2023.
He fights out of the Bournemouth International Center once again forced Mateusz Masternak to retire on the stool in the eighth round due to a rib injury.
Source: Boxxer
The Briton’s opponent before entering the competition remains relatively unknown, but his achievements tell the story of danger and a man who decided to tear up the script.
Rozicki boxes from Nova Scotia, Canada, and continues to train in his hometown. He spoke to professional boxing fans and revealed the biggest challenge his location poses to his boxing career.
He recently posted a video on social media highlighting one of the more unusual training methods he uses while camping in such a remote location.
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“There are no sparring partners there, no. If I want to spar, I have to travel.”
The Canadian has a devastating knockout rate of over 95%, which he added in his last outing less than three months ago.
He stopped Gerardo Mellado in the second round after dropping him twice earlier.
The 31-year-old is currently ranked number one in the WBC cruiserweight rankings.
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‘The Bruiser’ revealed his biggest inspiration growing up and how he emulates Jack Dempsey’s brutal and relentless style.
“Jack Dempsey. Brutal. Constant pressure. Damage.
“I have no interest in participating in a boxing match. I want to hurt my opponent.”
Despite such a high position in the WBC rankings, he surprisingly presented his goals for tomorrow night and the rest of his career.
Give me fights, give me large fights, pay me the most money and I will be there.
“I don’t focus on numbers, rankings, belts, anything.”
Rozicki had already tried to secure a fight with Billam-Smith.
The Canadian was ringside for his 2024 rematch victory over Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park and revealed what Ben Shalom told him about the pair’s fight two years ago.
“Ben said no one knows who you are and that you hit too demanding.”
While preparing to appear at Dana White’s first ever boxing gala in the UK, Rozicki also shared exactly how he sees the fight ending.
“One of my shots, from any angle, from any hand… he’ll go to sleep.”
The post “I’m not interested in belts” – Ryan Rozicki talks about the Zuffa Boxing switch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Saturday in Sheffield, Josh Padley will defend his European super featherweight title against Aqib Fiaz for the first time.
Eddie HearnMatchroom is promoting the Padley vs Fiaz fight from Utilita Arena live on DAZN worldwide.
The pair were scheduled to fight on the undercard, but were later advanced to the main event Dalton Smith’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Albert Puello and then Galal Yafai’s clash with unified flyweight world champion Ricardo Sandoval was shelved due to injury.
Padley (18-1, 6 KO) won the vacant belt after a second-round stoppage of Jaouad Belmehdi in Newcastle in January.
The 30-year-old has won three times since a ninth-round defeat to Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title on four days’ notice.
Fiaz (14-1, 2 KO) is looking to break the script here and has won two in a row since an eight-round retirement loss to mutual opponent Reece Bellotti in 2023, whom Padley defeated by unanimous decision in October.
The 26-year-old last didn’t play 11 months ago, securing a unanimous decision victory over Alex Murphy.
Nadim-Sulaimaan will fight for the title of English champion
Ibrahim Nadim defends his English super featherweight crown for the first time against Ibraheem Sulaimaan.
Nadim (16-1, 2 KO) secured the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over Numan Hussain in November, and Sulaimaan (10-0, 5 KO) became the Midlands Area champion with a sixth-round victory over Nico Ogbeide also in November.
Undercard remaining
Middleweight Aaron Bowen (7-1, 5 KO) suffered his first professional loss to Tom Cowling in November, but can get back to winning ways with a stoppage victory over Troy Coleman (15-4-1, 7 KO).
Heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (6-0, 5 KO) can remain excellent by defeating Frenchman Fouad Shaili (5-4-2, 3 KO).
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Connor Mitchell (2-0, 1 KO) can improve his undefeated record by scoring points over Jesus Carrasco (2-4-2) at featherweight, while Chris Mulanda (2-0) can do the same against Connor Goulding (6-12) in their middleweight bout.
Adam Maca (5-0, 5 KO) and Edward Hardy (6-0, 2 KO) will return to the pitch against an as yet unspecified opponent.
The post Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Anthony Joshua won’t be leaving boxing any time soon.
Joshua returns to the ring on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prengi, ahead of a thrilling clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury in November.
The two-time world heavyweight champion was expected to potentially end his career after his long-awaited clash with Fury, but the 36-year-old insists he can continue for another four years, even opening the door to a potential clash with the rising 21-year-old heavyweight champion, Moses This is going to hurt.
“For me, maybe until I’m 40,” Joshua told reporters.
“It’s only been about three or four years.
“I’ll be 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it’ll go by quickly.
“Of course it will be challenging, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it.
“Why not, why not? I’m definitely more mature.”
“AJ” will fight for the first time since the sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami in December.
The Watford player took a break from the sport after he was involved in a devastating road accident in Nigeria 10 days later that killed two of his close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Joshua, who met Prenga face-to-face earlier this week, said he strongly supports parents Ayodele and Ghami.
“You’ll never get over it, but you’ll gain perspective in life,” he said BBC Sport.
“Life sometimes teaches you humility. You never know your fate.
“As a soldier, I stand powerful in defense of their parents.
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“First of all, it’s not about me.
“I think it’s crucial to put parents first at this time.
“I will have time to grieve, but I know that right now my heart and mind say that their parents are my main priority.”
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Joshua’s fight against Prenga will take place at the Jeddah Superdome.
Fury, who retired in April to defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, is scheduled to have another warm-up fight on August 1.
The post Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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