Moses Itauma Questions WBC Call as Usyk vs Verhoeven Title Fight Sparks Debate
Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, with the bout […]
Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, with the bout set near the Pyramids. The event will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN pay-per-view. The fight has drawn attention across boxing after the WBC Board of Governors approved it as a full title defense.
The sanctioning body had initially positioned the matchup as a special event before later confirming it would be contested for the belt. That shift has sparked debate within the sport, including a reaction from rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma . Moses Itauma Questions the WBC Decision Moses Itauma spoke to Ariel Helwani after the WBC confirmed the fight would carry full title status.
The 21-year-old said Usyk has earned the right to choose his opponents but questioned whether the decision was appropriate. “Usyk, he can do whatever he wants. He’s earned that right.
But I don’t like to use the word fair, but I don’t think it should be allowed to fight for the world title. ” “Obviously, as I said, Usyk’s earned the right to do whatever he wants, but I don’t think it’s correct for Rico to be able to fight for the world title in his first fight. It’s a bit crazy.