#Letakan iklan disini
Boxing Dec 07, 2025

Lawrence Okolie open to boxing Moses Itauma in final eliminator for WBC heavyweight world title

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Lawrence Okolie open to boxing Moses Itauma in final eliminator for WBC heavyweight world title

Lawrence Okolie is open to boxing Moses Itauma in a clash that would lead the winner to a future world title shot.

The WBC has ordered a final eliminator for the world championship between the two British heavyweights.

Oleksandr Usyk is the full WBC world champion while Agit Kabayel is their Interim heavyweight titlist.

Okolie, a world titlist at cruiserweight and in the new bridgerweight division, is the No 1 rated contender in the WBC's heavyweight rankings and is open to boxing Itauma, their No 4, in an eliminator.

Joe Gallagher, Okolie's trainer, told SportNews: "I petitioned for him to be made mandatory [challenger]. Kabayel's having a fight in January, Usyk they're allowing a voluntary [defence]. AJ ranked No 3 and Dubois No 2 weren't available to fight at the moment so they made Lawrence and Moses as a final eliminator, which was a surprise."

Gallagher added: "Whether it happens or not, I'm not sure. I doubt it. But Lawrence is here to fight everyone and anyone so that's where we are."

Both Okolie and Itauma have other fights lined up next. Okolie is due to box in Nigeria on December 19, while Itauma is set to box Jermaine Franklin in Manchester on January 24.

Itauma is still only 20 years old and has just had 13 professional fights. But he could serve notice of his world class credentials against Franklin next month.

Ben Davison, Itauma's trainer, wouldn't hold the young fighter back from challenging Usyk. In fact he'd advise Itauma to go for that fight.

"I would take it," Davison previously told SportNews. "I would. I think it's a win-win. As much as Moses hasn't boxed anybody like Usyk, I don't think Usyk's boxed anybody like Moses. I think he would openly say that himself.

"It's something he [Itauma] would be up for. I think he's got the mindset: if you're taking a dive [into the deep end] you might as well take the dive. Hopefully we may end up in a world title fight."

Tags:

boxing news id:13478912

Share this article

Related Posts

Billam-Smith vs Rozicki LIVE! Updates, stream, undercard, news, results, highlights from Zuffa Boxing 07 in Bournemouth

Billam-Smith vs Rozicki LIVE! Updates, stream, undercard, news, results, highlights from Zuffa Boxing 07 in Bournemouth

Southampton confirm retained listSouthampton have confirmed eight players will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of JuneOriol Rome...

Lerrone Richards demands 'justice' after defeat to Albert Ramirez and calls for WBA interim light-heavyweight title rematch

Lerrone Richards demands 'justice' after defeat to Albert Ramirez and calls for WBA interim light-heavyweight title rematch

Lerrone Richards believes he was "robbed" in his fight against Albert Ramirez in Montreal last Thursday and is desperate to avenge the loss in an imme...

Boxing 2026 fight schedule and latest results: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Katie Taylor and more

Boxing 2026 fight schedule and latest results: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Katie Taylor and more

Keep track of the latest boxing results and major fights coming up during 2026.Tyson Fury is set to , ahead of his long-awaited showdown with Anthony...

Mikaela Mayer v Chantelle Cameron: Super welterweight unification fight to headline MVP all-female card with Caroline Dubois

Mikaela Mayer v Chantelle Cameron: Super welterweight unification fight to headline MVP all-female card with Caroline Dubois

Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron will put their super welterweight world titles on the line for a high-stakes unification clash in the UK this Augu...

Jack Catterall 'better than ever' as he offers Rolando Romero fight update and welterweight unification ambitions

Jack Catterall 'better than ever' as he offers Rolando Romero fight update and welterweight unification ambitions

New world champion Jack Catterall says he feels "better than ever" and that there are "great fights to be made" should he not face Rolando 'Rolly' Rom...

Chris Billam-Smith claims hometown victory over Ryan Rozicki after dramatic stoppage in epic cruiserweight contest

Chris Billam-Smith claims hometown victory over Ryan Rozicki after dramatic stoppage in epic cruiserweight contest

Chris Billam-Smith moved himself back into world title contention after a dramatic stoppage victory over Ryan Rozicki in a bruising cruiserweight clas...