Oleksandr Usyk vs Moses Itauma: Ex-Champ Reacts to Turki Alalshikh’s Wish

On July 19, at Wembley Stadium, Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) once again showed why he is the number one heavyweight, stopping Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) in the fifth round of their undisputed heavyweight title clash. It was a performance that left many asking: What is left to achieve for Usyk? Immediately after the fight, Turki Alalshikh posted on his X account: “I want to see Usyk against Itauma. This is the fight.” George Groves recently spoke to the Escapist, reflecting on Alalshikh’s wish and discussing potential opponents for Usyk.

Oleksandr Usyk Reigns Supreme at Heavyweight

Groves Shares Thoughts on Turki Alalshikh’s Usyk vs Itauma Wish

Usyk started brightly against Dubois, and despite the Brit’s best efforts, the Ukrainian showed impressive accuracy and movement. That sharpness continued into the fifth round, when Usyk landed a left-right combination that dropped Dubois, who already looked like a beaten fighter.

He beat the count, but soon after, Usyk slipped a punch before landing a huge left hand counter, knocking Dubois down again, who was counted out, awarding Usyk the win, making him the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time.

Groves Discusses Potential Usyk vs Itauma Clash

Looking at potential next options for Usyk, Groves said: “I think he’ll beat Parker. I think he beats Agit Kabayel. I think he beats Moses Itauma now.

“I think maybe in 12 months he won’t beat Itauma. And maybe then that is like the passing of the torch. We never had that when Lennox Lewis retired at the top. He beat Klitschko, and he was done after that,” added Groves.

Whether we’ll ever see Oleksandr Usyk in the ring again remains to be seen. If the Dubois rematch was his final bow, then we witnessed an all-time great on the biggest stage. Usyk, your legacy is secure.