'Do you think I'm stupid?' - Tyson Fury has very clear opinion of Moses Itauma
Fury has been hinting at a potential return to the ring over the last few weeks, but should he return, the British star has refused to take on Itauma
Tyson Fury has previously shut down a potential fight with rising star Moses Itauma as the Brit acknowledged the threat the youngster possesses.
The 'Gypsy King' officially announced his retirement from the sport of boxing back in January. The news came just weeks after he lost to long-time rival Oleksandr Usyk for a second time. Immediately after defeat to the Ukrainian in December, fans had hoped to see the Brit take on Anthony Joshua this year.
However, his retirement announcement handed 'AJ' a significant blow. That said, over the last few weeks, the 36-year-old has hinted at a potential return to the ring after uploading several videos of him training in the gym. He recently reunited with coach SugarHill Steward as he ramps up training for a potential comeback.
While a fight with Joshua seems the most realistic for Fury should be make a retirement U-turn, there is one man that he simply will refuse to fight. In a video uploaded to Queensberry Promotions, the 'Gypsy King' praised the rise of Itauma - but joked that he would never face him in the ring. 'Fight Moses Itauma? No, definitely not. Do you think I'm stupid?' said Fury.
Itauma has already made a name for himself in the sport of boxing. In his professional career so far, the energetic knockout artist has fought on two of Fury's undercards in Saudi Arabia - drawing praise from the 'Gypsy King' - and looked flawless on both occasions.
He has enjoyed success against the likes of Demsey McKean, Mariusz Wach and Ilja Mezencev - with many backing him to become a world champion in the very near future. The Brit made his return to the ring last month and battered Mike Balogun inside two rounds. The 20-year-old is finalising a deal to fight boxing veteran Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia on August 16.
Immediately after Itauma's win over Balogun, boxing promoter Frank Warren shut down a potential heavyweight dust-up with Martin Bakole. Warren said to Queensberry Promotion's YouTube channel: "No! Bakole's got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening."
"Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career," he remarked. "But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow. But I don't want him to pick me now because he'd be making a big mistake. He's playing with the fire. [But] he's a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I'm open to it."
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