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Moses Itauma questions Rico Verhoeven’s title shot against Usyk

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Image: Eddie Hearn's Take on Who Moses Itauma Should Fight Next: Hrgovic or Parker?

Moses Itauma is not against Oleksandr Usyk fighting a different type of fight. However, he does not agree with the idea of ​​tying the world champion title to it.

The 21-year-old heavyweight champion was asked about the possibility of Usyk facing kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven and made it clear that while unified heavyweight champion Usyk has earned freedom in his career, the title element does not sit well with him. Itauma kept his tone moderate, but the point remained the same.


“Usyk, he can do whatever he wants,” Itauma said on the Ariel Helwani Show. “He deserved that right. But I don’t think he should be allowed to fight for the world title.”

Itauma did not question Usyk’s position or what he had achieved. Instead, he focused on the idea of ​​a newcomer stepping directly into a championship fight without going through the usual route. That’s where he drew the line.

“The fact that Rico can fight for a world title in his first fight is kind of crazy,” Itauma said.

Usyk-Verhoeven syndrome The fight itself wasn’t the problem. Itauma didn’t dismiss Verhoeven’s skill or the appeal of the matchup. He took issue with the title being placed in this fight without the usual path.

It was also admitted that fighters in Usyk’s position operate in different conditions. Itauma pointed out that once someone reaches this level of achievement and superstar status, they can choose opportunities that others would not have to offer. In his opinion, this part covers the territory. The problem, he believes, is when that freedom spills over into title fights.

This is a tiny moment in the interview, but one of the few in which Itauma deviated from standard answers and took a clear position. His view is similar to what many boxing fans have been saying about the Usyk vs. Rico fight.

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Categories Moses Itauma, Oleksandr Usyk

Last update: 19/03/2026 at 12:14

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David Morrell says a career doesn’t end after a KO defeat

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Image: David Morrell Says Career Isn’t Over After Zak Chelli Knockout

David Morrell says his career isn’t over after his knockout loss to Zak Chelli last Saturday in England, but questions are already being raised about whether Morrell should return to 168 pounds after another tough run at lithe heavyweight.

Morrell was stopped in the 10th and final round after a competitive bout on the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois heavyweight undercard. The defeat was Morrell’s second defeat in his last three fights following a decision loss to David Benavidez in February 2025.


“This doesn’t mean David Morrell’s career is over,” Morrell said on the I shownstagram. We must take this as a lesson and move on with greater strength.

“We’ll be back soon and we’ll have more news for you.”

Morrell also assured fans that he was recovering quickly from the knockout.

“For those who are worried: thank God, I am well and robust.

“A person is not measured by the number of times he falls, but by the number of times he gets up.

“This is the beginning of a fresh stage, not the end of the race.”

The loss to Chelli increased criticism of Morrell’s move to 175 pounds. Since moving up from super middleweight in August 2024, Morrell entered 2025 undefeated, but has now lost two of his last three fights since moving up to lithe heavyweight.

Morrell dropped a split decision victory over previously undefeated Imam Khataev last July before losing to David Benavidez and being stopped by Zak Chelli.

Boxing analyst Chris Mannix was among those who suggested Morrell may need to rebuild at super middleweight after the defeat.

The 28-year-old Cuban currently has a record of 12-2 with nine knockouts, having entered 2025 undefeated and viewed as one of the most perilous newborn fighters in boxing.

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Categories David Morrell Jr

Last update: 2026/05/14 at 23:49

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Coach Terence Crawford BoMac admits that one of the players “had his number”: “We had to take it away”

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Terence Crawford trainer BoMac admits one fighter ‘had his number’: “We had to pick it up”

Terence Crawford has faced select top-class players throughout his career, but there was one player who coach Brian “BoMac” McIntyre deemed a real threat to his protégé’s dominance.

As the undisputed champion of three divisions, it’s safe and sound to say that “Bud” never shied away from a formidable challenge, even if it meant putting himself at a significant disadvantage.

His fight with Canelo Alvarez, for example, saw the extraordinary technician move up two weight classes and dethroned the Mexican with a remarkable unanimous decision victory last September.

Similarly, many felt that Crawford was clearly the underdog before us his fight with Errol Spence Jr. in 2023only to score a ruthless ninth-round finish and unify all four major welterweight titles.

But according to longtime head coach “BoMac,” Crawford came closest to his only professional loss in 2019, six years before he retired from the sport.

The American was then defending his WBO welterweight title against Egidijus Kavaliauskas, also known as “Mean Machine”, who was not only undefeated, but also boasted an impressive knockout to victory ratio.

I’m talking to Podcast on the front pageMcIntyre credited Kavaliauskas with forcing Crawford to change his tactics after the third round, when “Bud” jumped out of the ring after being deemed a no-knockdown.

“That motherfucker just kept coming and coming. He didn’t stop. For the first few rounds, he only had Bud’s number because he was punching before Bud and punching after Bud.

“It was like, ‘Damn, dog – you [Crawford] I have to pick it up.”

Ultimately, Crawford managed to secure a ninth-round victory over Kavaliauskas, but he had to dig deep into his tool bag to win. The record-breaking star later said that “Mean Machine” was one of the hardest hits he had ever faced.

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Shakur Wants to ‘Get Eight Pounds’

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Image: J Prince Says Shakur Stevenson Willing To “Take Eight Pounds” For Devin Haney

“Well, you never know. You know what I mean? I think he can make that weight if he wants to,” Prince told Fighthype about the fight between Shakur and Haney.

“But like I told him, Shakur weighs 135 pounds. They weigh 147. So out of 12 pounds, we’re willing to take eight. We’re not even saying we’ll meet halfway.”

“So you never know. I don’t count them because certain numbers often change a person’s mind, right? You never know.”

Prince also said there are ongoing discussions about Stevenson fighting next after recently winning the WBO 140-pound welterweight title.

“It’s up in the air. We’re regrouping. We’re planning again and people will know about it very soon,” Prince said.

Shakur moved up earlier this year and defeated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO 140-pound title. Stevenson already held titles in three weight classes before moving up to 140.

Haney continued competing at welterweight after moving up from 140 pounds following fights against Ryan Garcia, Brian Norman Jr. and Mario Barrios.

Prince also mentioned undefeated lightweight title challenger Abdullah Mason, who returns to his hometown of Cleveland this month.

“I’m excited, first of all, that Abdullah Mason is fighting at home,” Prince said.

“I have a long history with Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, the entire Midwest was one of the first to embrace my Rap-A-Lot movement.

“They should be really proud of their child.”

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