“Do You Think I’m Stupid?” – Tyson Fury Names the Only Boxer He Would Avoid Fighting

“Do You Think I’m Stupid?” – Tyson Fury Names the Only Boxer He Would Avoid Fighting

 

Tyson Fury has become synonymous with taking on the toughest challenges in the boxing world, facing off against some of the most formidable opponents of his generation. From epic battles with Deontay Wilder to the highly anticipated rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, Fury has never backed down from a fight. But there is one name, unexpectedly, that the undefeated heavyweight king has humorously ruled out as a potential opponent—19-year-old British sensation, Moses Itauma.

 

In a sport where confidence is often the key to success, Fury’s remark about Itauma came as a playful surprise. Despite the fact that Fury is slated to return to the ring after his shocking loss to Usyk in May, where he suffered his first professional defeat, the idea of facing Itauma was met with an immediate and light-hearted rejection. The young British powerhouse, Itauma, is quickly making waves in the boxing world, and while many view him as the future of the heavyweight division, Fury is in no rush to test himself against this rising star.

 

Fury’s much-awaited rematch against Usyk comes with heavy stakes, as both fighters stand as the top two ranked heavyweights in the division. The Gypsy King, whose bravado and charisma have defined his career, has proven time and again that he’s willing to fight anyone—anyone except, it seems, Moses Itauma.

 

But who exactly is Itauma, and why did Fury dismiss the idea of ever squaring off against him? Itauma, the teenage boxing prodigy, has captured the attention of boxing fans and critics alike with his relentless, aggressive style. Branded by some as ‘Britain’s Mike Tyson,’ Itauma’s rise through the ranks has been nothing short of explosive. In July, he added another victory to his flawless 10-0 record, securing a brutal stoppage win over Polish veteran Mariusz Wach.

 

As Fury prepares for his upcoming showdown with Usyk, there’s a growing buzz around Itauma, who many believe is destined to replace Fury and Usyk at the top of boxing’s heavyweight division once they retire. Itauma’s performances inside the ring have led to widespread praise, with many viewing him as the heir apparent in the heavyweight scene. Even Fury himself has been consistently complimentary of the young fighter’s talents, predicting that Itauma could well rise to the top after Fury eventually hangs up his gloves.

 

This mutual respect was put on full display earlier this year when Itauma was drafted as one of Fury’s sparring partners in preparation for his first fight against Usyk. Despite their sparring sessions being highly competitive, Fury’s playful refusal to fight Itauma in a real bout has only added to the intrigue surrounding the young prospect. When asked by TNT Sports in April about his potential future opponents, Fury boldly outlined his plans to fight ten more times before retiring, but swiftly shut down any suggestion of a bout with Itauma. Laughing off the idea, Fury responded, “Do you think I’m stupid? No, no, no!” His tone may have been lighthearted, but the statement left fans wondering just how much Fury truly respects Itauma’s talent.

 

Moses Itauma, meanwhile, remains focused on his own career trajectory. After honing his skills in Fury’s camp ahead of the first Usyk fight, Itauma described Fury as something of a ‘marmite fighter’—an athlete who can have incredible days in the ring, but also struggles with inconsistency in sparring. “If the Tyson Fury who has a good day in sparring shows up against Usyk, he’ll have an easy night,” Itauma shared with talkSPORT. “But he’s very marmite—he can also have a bad day, and I feel like his performance against Francis Ngannou was one of those bad days.”

 

With Itauma continuing to make waves, he is expected to feature on the undercard of Fury and Usyk’s highly anticipated December rematch in Saudi Arabia. Although his opponent has not yet been confirmed, Itauma has promised that this fight will mark a significant step-up in his career. Fresh off his dominant victory over Wach, Itauma’s next opponent is expected to be a world-level fighter, someone capable of challenging the fast-rising British star.

 

As the boxing world eagerly awaits Fury’s rematch with Usyk, and watches closely to see how Itauma fares on the undercard, there’s little doubt that the 19-year-old has all the tools to follow in the footsteps of his sparring partner and heavyweight mentor. But for now, fans will have to settle for Itauma facing other opponents, as Fury humorously made it clear that a clash between the two British stars is not in the cards.

 

For Fury, the road to redemption lies through Usyk, and for Itauma, the path to greatness is just beginning. Yet, the connection between these two fighters adds another layer of fascination to the ever-evolving heavyweight landscape. Could Itauma one day eclipse the man who once playfully refused to fight him? Only time will tell. Until then, all eyes are on Saudi Arabia, where the next chapter in both fighters’ journeys will be written.