Moses Itauma is optimistic he will get a shot at the world heavyweight title at some point in 2025, but likely only if Oleksandr Usyk retires or vacates some belts.

Cast as Britain's next hopeful heavyweight star, Itauma, 20, originally set the target of becoming the youngest world champion in the division's history, a record which Mike Tyson will hold on to for now.

Though Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) has missed the boat on shattering that record, his first shot at world honours may still come in 2025, as he's currently ranked No. 2 with the WBO and No. 3 with the WBA.

Chatham's Itauma destroyed Demsey McKean in a single round last December and is expected to next be in action on the Josh Taylor-Ekow Essuman card in Glasgow on May 24.

His opponent is yet to be confirmed but whoever Itauma fights, observers will expect to see an emphatic performance, further reinforcing the belief he can be the heavyweight division's next virtuoso.

The WBA, WBC, WBO and Ring titles are currently held by Usyk, while promotional stablemate Daniel Dubois has the IBF strap in his possession.

With those two expected to fight for undisputed status at some point this year, perhaps in the summer, it's likely a couple of belts will become available after that.

Itauma will be waiting to strike.

"Yeah, of course," Itauma told The Ring Podcast when asked about spearheading the next crop of heavyweights. "All you need is one slip-up or just one belt to be separated from Usyk and the heavyweight [division's] back feisty.

"Obviously at the minute, Usyk is the king, you just got to wait for him to retire or vacate for someone like me to come and grab them.

"I'm not naming no names. I said last year I want to get to some titles obviously I'm taking a step closer to those titles now.

"I'm not dancing to anyone's tune, I'm just trying to get to something big, maybe a world title, if not, somewhere around it. My job is getting into the ring and fighting, everything else is for my team."