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

Claressa Shields is pound-for-pound No 1 in world over Katie Taylor in woman's boxing, says promoter

Claressa Shields is pound-for-pound No 1 in world over Katie Taylor in woman's boxing, says promoter

Claressa Shields deserves to be recognised as the No 1 fighter in woman's boxing ahead of Katie Taylor, believes promoter Dmitriy Salita. Shields just...

Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

Claressa Shields dominated Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a lopsided unanimous decision on Sunday night in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed...

Conor Benn decision to join Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will 'really hurt' Eddie Hearn, says Jonny Nelson

Conor Benn decision to join Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will 'really hurt' Eddie Hearn, says Jonny Nelson

Conor Benn’s decision to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will have "really hurt" promoter Eddie Hearn but it’s a "business move", says Your Site expert...

Conor Benn targets Ryan Garcia and world title, rules out Floyd Mayweather bout but would box Chris Eubank Jr at 168lbs

Conor Benn targets Ryan Garcia and world title, rules out Floyd Mayweather bout but would box Chris Eubank Jr at 168lbs

Conor Benn will target a “mega-fight” with Ryan Garcia after signing with new promoter Zuffa Boxing, but also revealed he is open to another bout with...

Ryan Garcia dominates Mario Barrios in unanimous decision win and calls out Shakur Stevenson

Ryan Garcia dominates Mario Barrios in unanimous decision win and calls out Shakur Stevenson

Ryan Garcia dominated Mario Barrios on Saturday night to win by unanimous decision and capture the WBC welterweight championship.Garcia (25-2, 20 knoc...

Leigh Wood defeats Josh Warrington as Sandy Ryan becomes two-weight world champion after beating Karla Ramos Zamora

Leigh Wood defeats Josh Warrington as Sandy Ryan becomes two-weight world champion after beating Karla Ramos Zamora

Leigh Wood took a wide unanimous decision victory over Josh Warrington in front of his hometown supporters at the Nottingham Arena.The former world ch...