Avoid Usyk - Hatton urges caution with Itauma

Ricky Hatton says Moses Itauma is simply a "brilliant" heavyweight but urged his squad not to push for a conflict pinch Oleksandr Usyk next.

Itauma's quick knockout of Dillian Whyte past Saturday ramped up speculation nan 20-year-old could beryllium fresh for a world title shot.

Hatton, a multiple-weight world champion, heaped praise connected Itauma, but called for be aware arsenic nan Briton continues to build his career.

"I deliberation they mightiness person stepped him up a spot excessively quick," Hatton told BBC Sport.

"It was a very knowledgeable performance, measurement beyond his years.

"They're talking astir Usyk next, woah, let's conscionable clasp occurrence location conscionable a small bit.

"Usyk will only person a mates [more fights]. If you look astatine nan heavyweights coming through, it's wide unfastened for Itauma and I deliberation he tin clear up."

Usyk, 37, holds each 4 of nan awesome world titles but could beryllium forced to vacate his WBO loop if he doesn't conflict mandatory challenger Joseph Parker next.

The Ukrainian's squad person told nan WBO he is recovering from an wounded and requested an hold to nan 24 July deadline to scope position pinch Parker.

With conscionable 13 fights and 26 rounds nether Itauma's belt, Hatton suggested nan home way was amended for a processing boxer.

"Fabio Wardley aliases Frazer Clarke, which are bully home fights," Hatton suggested arsenic imaginable opponents.

"Fighting home fights to get your fanbase rising. He has sewage his fanbase rising each nan time, but I deliberation that's what I'd do.

"Hold occurrence pinch Usyk because he's going to get moreover better, truthful why conflict him now? Get a spot amended and past conflict him."

Hatton, 46, is readying a return to boxing erstwhile he faces Eisa Al Dah connected 2 December successful Dubai.

Hatton turns 47 successful October and says nan conflict will beryllium "fully sanctioned" though it remains unclear if immoderate conditions will beryllium applied to nan bout, for illustration erstwhile 58-year-old Mike Tyson fought Jake Paul pinch bigger gloves and shorter rounds.

The Manchester combatant retired successful 2012 aft winning world titles astatine welterweight and light-welterweight, but fought successful an exhibition bout successful 2022.

He says nan December bout could beryllium for a "WBC mediate eastbound title" and played down concerns astir a return to nan ring.

"I'm not rather arsenic aged arsenic Mike," Hatton said.

"Manny Pacquiao went consecutive successful and fought for a world title [aged 46]. A erstwhile foe of excavation [44-year-old] Paulie Malignaggi is doing a bare-knuckle fight.

"I cognize group are worried because I americium truthful good loved and liked, but you don't person to worry.

"I cognize what fights are successful my capabilities and I cognize which fights aren't. And this 1 is wrong my capabilities."