Oleksandr Usyk has ruled out a fight with heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma and has earmarked the age he will retire from boxing.

Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) hasn’t fought since he became two-time undisputed heavyweight champion with a dazzling fifth-round knockout over Daniel Dubois on July 19 at Wembley Stadium in London. The Ukrainian southpaw, who is The Ring’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter, is currently dealing with a back injury and won’t be able to defend his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles until next year.

However, a fight against the 20-year-old Itauma, perhaps the sport’s most exciting young star, isn’t in his plans.

“No, I won’t fight Itauma," Usyk told Ready To Fight. “He’s young – always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn’t hit grandpas. I can’t say who exactly, because negotiations are ongoing. I’d be lying if I gave you a name.”

England’s Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) last performed on August 16. He knocked out former world title contender Dillian Whyte in the first round at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Immediately after the fight, Turki Alalshikh – head of Riyadh Season, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and owner of The Ring – made his intentions clear to match Usyk and Itauma.

Chatham’s Itauma has previously said he views a fight with Usyk as a “win-win” situation, noting that even a loss at the age of 20 against an all-time great wouldn’t set him back in his progression.

Though Usyk looks to have played down talk of a fight against Itauma, there’s still every chance it could occur in the next couple of years.

Before his win over Dubois in the summer, the 38-year-old Usyk insisted he would only fight once more after his rematch with the former IBF heavyweight champion. Now it looks as if he will be active until at least 2028, when he turns 41.

“I’ll fight until I’m 41,” he added. “Then I’ll build a sports academy – I’ll train there and train others.”