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

Xander Zayas defeats Abass Baraou to become youngest active unified world champion in Puerto Rico

Xander Zayas defeats Abass Baraou to become youngest active unified world champion in Puerto Rico

Xander Zayas defeated Abass Baraou via split decision to become the youngest active unified champion and the first boxer from Puerto Rico to accomplis...

Murat Gassiev offers Derek Chisora shot at his WBA heavyweight title, if he beats Deontay Wilder

Murat Gassiev offers Derek Chisora shot at his WBA heavyweight title, if he beats Deontay Wilder

Murat Gassiev would welcome a fight with Derek Chisora or Deontay Wilder.Gassiev holds a WBA 'regular' heavyweight title while Oleksandr Usyk, who bea...

Derek Chisora to collide with former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder in 50th pro fight

Derek Chisora to collide with former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder in 50th pro fight

Derek Chisora will meet Deontay Wilder on April 4 at London's O2 Arena in what will be a 50th professional fight for both heavyweights.Chisora, a cult...

Caroline Dubois: I'll go undisputed this year and chase the Alycia Baumgardner fight

Caroline Dubois: I'll go undisputed this year and chase the Alycia Baumgardner fight

Caroline Dubois is looking to go undisputed this year and meet Alycia Baumgardner in a major transatlantic clash.The Londoner is an unbeaten WBC light...

Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to friends who died in crash: 'The mission must go on'

Anthony Joshua pays emotional tribute to friends who died in crash: 'The mission must go on'

Anthony Joshua has paid an emotional tribute to his two friends who died in a car accident in Nigeria.Joshua was in the vehicle with Sina Ghami and La...

Tyson Fury vs Aslanbek Makhmudov winner set to get high world ranking, says WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

Tyson Fury vs Aslanbek Makhmudov winner set to get high world ranking, says WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

The winner of Tyson Fury’s fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov will receive a high world ranking, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed.At the star...