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

Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin fight postponed after Itauma suffers injury in camp

Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin fight postponed after Itauma suffers injury in camp

Moses Itauma's fight with Jermaine Franklin has been postponed until March 28 after the British heavyweight suffered an injury in training.Itauma was...

Conor Benn 'in touching distance' of becoming WBC world champion - title fight vs Ryan Garcia or Mario Barrios awaits

Conor Benn 'in touching distance' of becoming WBC world champion - title fight vs Ryan Garcia or Mario Barrios awaits

Conor Benn believes he is within 'touching distance' of the WBC welterweight title, and is ready to fight the winner of Mario Barrios against Ryan Gar...

Tyson Fury: Eddie Hearn says boxing heavyweight 'still in his prime' and 2026 comeback to fight in ring good news

Tyson Fury: Eddie Hearn says boxing heavyweight 'still in his prime' and 2026 comeback to fight in ring good news

Tyson Fury is still in his "prime" and his return to boxing is great for the sport, says Eddie Hearn.Fury, 37, confirmed at the start of January he wi...

Anthony Joshua car crash: Trial of driver involved in fatal collision has hearing adjourned until February 25

Anthony Joshua car crash: Trial of driver involved in fatal collision has hearing adjourned until February 25

The trial of the driver involved in the fatal accident that injured Anthony Joshua and killed two of his team has been adjourned until next month.Aden...

Tyson Fury: Arslanbek Makhmudov one of 'top three' options for April comeback fight, says manager Spencer Brown

Tyson Fury: Arslanbek Makhmudov one of 'top three' options for April comeback fight, says manager Spencer Brown

Tyson Fury is holding advanced contract talks over a comeback fight in April and Arslanbek Makhmudov is among the 'top three' potential opponent, conf...

Oleksandr Usyk is welcome to defend his WBC title against Deontay Wilder, says WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

Oleksandr Usyk is welcome to defend his WBC title against Deontay Wilder, says WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has reiterated that Deontay Wilder is "welcome" to challenge for Oleksandr Usyk's WBC title amid speculation about a f...