By PETER AKINBO

Former heavyweight champion David Haye believes rising star Moses Itauma is already capable of defeating established heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with only undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk posing a threat to the 20-year-old prospect.

Haye?s bold assessment comes after Itauma?s devastating knockout victory over former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in mid-August, a performance that has sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division.

Speaking on iFL TV, Haye was asked if Itauma could already best the division?s ageing top contenders, including Fury, Joshua and Usyk.

?Yeah, I think he beats everybody. The only person is Usyk, the only person who has a chance against him is Usyk off the strength of that victory against Dillian Whyte,? Haye said.

?Sounds crazy, I know, sounds mental, but there?s no chinks in his game. I can?t see where anyone can penetrate. Everything?s just really clean. I don?t think I?ve seen that before.?

Itauma sits at the opposite end of his career compared to the heavyweight veterans. The young prospect has fought just 13 times professionally, winning 11 by knockout, and is currently on a hot streak that has seen his last nine opponents all beaten inside the first round.

His brutal stoppage of Whyte followed impressive victories over Demsey McKean and Mariusz Wach, demonstrating his ability to dispatch both prospects and experienced campaigners with equal ease.

Fury, meanwhile, has been retired since January following his second consecutive loss to Usyk in late 2024. Those defeats represent the only blemishes on the record of the former two-time champion, who previously scored notable victories over Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko.

Itauma has made no secret of his ambition to move quickly towards world title contention. After his victory over Whyte, the young fighter was quick to call out Usyk directly.

The Ukrainian responded recently, acknowledging that the young star was indeed ready to step up again, though his team disagreed with the assessment.

As for potential fights with Joshua or Fury, Itauma?s rapid rise through the heavyweight ranks suggests those matchups could materialise sooner than expected. His clean technique and devastating power have impressed observers, with Haye joining the growing chorus of voices tipping the youngster for greatness.

While fans hope Fury will emerge from retirement to face Joshua in a long-awaited British showdown, a bout between ?The Gypsy King? and Itauma does not appear to be on the immediate horizon.(Punch)

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