For Moses Itauma, 2024 began with the small matter of helping Tyson Fury prepare to make history. Some task for a 19-year-old. But having already shared a ring with some of the biggest names in British boxing, he was the right man for the job.

The teenage heavyweight sensation was among the fighters to join ‘The Gypsy King’ in his fight camp in Saudi Arabia ahead of his undisputed title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk on 17 February.

Finding southpaw sparring partners to replicate Usyk, the masterful 6ft 3in Ukrainian who possesses one of the best boxing minds in the sport, is a nightmare. Impersonators are hard to come by with Itauma and cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia among those fitting the bill.

Training camp rumours are nothing new, occasionally emerging to fill the void during the lull leading up to fight week. During the last few days, whispers of Fury being knocked down by Opetaia began to swirl before being dismissed by the Australian’s camp.