Itauma ordered to hold talks over IBF title fight

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption,

Moses Itauma has won all 14 of his professional fights, including 12 inside the distance

By Mandeep Sanghera

BBC Sport journalist

Published 6 hours ago

Briton Moses Itauma has been ordered by the IBF to hold talks with Cuba's Frank Sanchez about fighting for the vacant heavyweight title.

Last week Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his IBF, WBA 'super' and WBC belts.

The IBF said that, "in accordance with IBF championship rules", it wants Sanchez, who is number one in their heavyweight rankings, to fight number three contender Itauma.

It said they have until 29 July to reach an agreement.

Itauma, 21, is scheduled to fight Croatia's Filip Hrgovic at London's O2 Arena on 29 August in what he has called his "toughest fight".

He could pull out of the Hrgovic fight or agree to fight Sanchez after that bout.

BBC Sport has contacted Itauma's promoter Queensberry for comment.

Itauma claimed an impressive fifth-round stoppage over Jermaine Franklin in Manchester in March.

Although the IBF wants to arrange a bout for the vacant title, the WBC upgraded interim champion Agit Kabayel to champion after Usyk gave up its belt.

Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk, who was required to fight German Kabayel after he was granted an exemption to fight Rico Verhoeven in May, is now free to fight any opponent.

Figure caption,

Itauma's top five knockouts

More on this story

Usyk vacates belts but is not retiring

*   Published 4 days ago

Boxing schedule and results 2026

*   Published 2 days ago

Shorts

Previous Next, 4 of 7

0:53 Have England learned from previous World Cup exits? 00:00:53, play video Have England learned from previous World Cup exits?
1:02 What's gone wrong for the Brits? 00:01:02, play video What's gone wrong for the Brits?
0:51'Bring on Harry Kane! Bring on Jude Bellingham!' 00:00:51, play video'Bring on Harry Kane! Bring on Jude Bellingham!'
1:01 Jimenez's turbulent journey to the last 16. 00:01:01, play video Jimenez's turbulent journey to the last 16
0:49 Rooney: Bellingham reminds me of myself. 00:00:49, play video Rooney: Bellingham reminds me of myself
0:35 How does Tuchel feel about DR Congo? 00:00:35, play video How does Tuchel feel about DR Congo?
0:53 Can you name the last five World Cup winners? 00:00:53, play video Can you name the last five World Cup winners?

Elsewhere on the BBC

Elsewhere in Sport

Skip to end of content

Close Modal

Play previous item

Play next item, item 1 of 7, Have England learned from previous World Cup exits?, 00:00:53

End of content. Close Modal

Skip to close button

Itauma ordered to hold talks over IBF title fight

Itauma ordered to hold talks over IBF title fight

Related topics

More on this story

Shorts

Top stories

Elsewhere on the BBC

Elsewhere in Sport

We Care About Your Privacy

How and why we process data