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

Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney have major fights this Sunday, as a bright future beyond beckons for British boxing

Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney have major fights this Sunday, as a bright future beyond beckons for British boxing

Elite world champions from Britain, like Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney, will showcase their talents on Your Site' stacked bill on Sunday.There are...

Moses Itauma set to become mandatory challenger for WBO heavyweight title with Daniel Dubois or stablemate Fabio Wardley in sight

Moses Itauma set to become mandatory challenger for WBO heavyweight title with Daniel Dubois or stablemate Fabio Wardley in sight

Moses Itauma is set to become the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title - potentially putting him on a collision course with stablemate F...

Tommy Fury to make boxing return against former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall in June

Tommy Fury to make boxing return against former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall in June

Tommy Fury will make his boxing return against former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall in Manchester on June 13.Fury - the half-brother of Tyson Fury...

Ellie Scotney's extraordinary journey has seen her rise from working in B&Q to the cusp of making British boxing history

Ellie Scotney's extraordinary journey has seen her rise from working in B&Q to the cusp of making British boxing history

Ellie Scotney is on the edge of history. If she wins her next fight she will become Britain’s youngest ever undisputed world champion of the four-belt...

Conor Benn wants to bring Ryan Garcia title fight to UK stadium straight after next bout against Regis Prograis

Conor Benn wants to bring Ryan Garcia title fight to UK stadium straight after next bout against Regis Prograis

Conor Benn wants an immediate world title shot if he defeats Regis Prograis in their April 11 bout.Benn expects to be victorious against Prograis, a f...

Moses Itauma stops Jermaine Franklin for first time with vicious heavyweight victory in Manchester

Moses Itauma stops Jermaine Franklin for first time with vicious heavyweight victory in Manchester

Moses Itauma made another emphatic statement as the British heavyweight prospect became the first fighter to stop Jermaine Franklin.Anthony Joshua and...