Lawrence Okolie vs. Moses Itauma - WBC Ordered

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lawrence Okolie vs. Moses Itauma ordered as final eliminator by WBC

There was a lively start to the WBC mandatories meeting when Lawrence Okolie, ranked first at heavyweight, was ordered to face Moses Itauma for the right to challenge champion Oleksandr Usyk.

With Usyk opting to take a voluntary defense during the first half of 2026, likely against Deontay Wilder, and interim champion Agit Kabayel fighting January 10, a snit occurred on the panel when trainer Joe Gallagher asked for No. 1-ranked and two-division champion Okolie to be named the mandatory.

Sulaiman rejected the idea, saying, “We do not favor mandating fights as a protocol if [the bouts are] not of the highest possible level,” and then moved to order Okolie, 22-1 (16 KOs), to an eliminator against dynamic 20-year-old Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), who is ranked No. 4.

That brought British Boxing Board of Control head and WBC board member Robert Smith to announce, “That’s not going to happen. It’s sensible but not going to happen.”

Not only are Itauma and Okolie both Queensberry Promotions products, the plan had been for Itauma to fight Jermaine Franklin in January, and then meet the winner of the WBA secondary title bout between Kubrat Pulev and Murat Gassiev.

That bothered Sulaiman, who asked Smith, “Do you work for Queensberry? … This is your opinion. You’re interfering.”

A Queensberry representative, Lee Eaton, approached to state that it was too early to say whether or not Itauma and Okolie would be willing to fight each other if that bout would be ordered.

With that, the board approved Okolie-Itauma.

"It's an interesting development," Gallagher told BS. "We'll have to see what the plans are for Itauma but today's events suggest this might not be the direction that his team are planning to go. Whatever happens, though we wanted to be mandatory, we're delighted to be involved in a final eliminator. We're here to fight anyone and everyone."

[joshj909]

If they accept Itauma wins. However, I think they both wait until the other pulls out. Itauma/Frank will want a WBO shot at Wardley over Usyk, while Okolie wants a free shot at Kabayel's interim belt. Okolie is the likelier of the two to accept because he has less to lose but I think he'd rather not face Itauma and see if he can't get a title shot another way. If one of them pulls out, Dubois and Joshua are next up. Joshua/Dubois Vs Okolie? I don't see Okolie beating any of the top ranked WBC guys.

[joshj909]

Also, why is Robert Smith saying why it will or won't happen like he has a horse in the race? If he's saying it from a likelihood perspective then that's fine but from a recommendation for whether to call the eliminator it's odd.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I mean they are both with Frank too..

He needs to make these fights tbh..

[KiwiRider]

The next step up on Itauma's opponent is going to get expensive.
If Fwank wants Okolie or anyone else in the next level, it's going to cost him.
Otherwise Itauma is going to get ducked.
The top guys are well aware of the risks fighting him.
As for Itauma vs Okolie, I don't mind it at all.

[Finkel]

Also, why is Robert Smith saying why it will or won't happen like he has a horse in the race? If he's saying it from a likelihood perspective then that's fine but from a recommendation for whether to call the eliminator it's odd.

Hmm it really makes you think, doesn't it. Interesting rebuttal from Sulaiman

As you say, very odd behaviour by the head of the BBBoC. Two British fighters in a WBC final eliminator...sounds good for British boxing, I would think. Odd

[Ruthless-RKO]

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

The WBC have mandated a final eliminator for their heavyweight world championship between Britain's Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma; Both fighters have other bouts scheduled, with Okolie boxing in Nigeria later this month and Itauma fighting Jermaine Franklin on January 24 in Manchester

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 Sky Sports: "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 Sky Sports. "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."

[MightyWarrior]

Box office dynamite versus box office poison!

Sounds like RW was trying to impress the boss with his inside knowledge, unsuccessfully.

Sulaiman Junior really is a useless oaf. Giving matias a pass, what a face palm that is. Great to see Bud Crawford calling him out for what he is, an overpaid freeloader.

[Perkin Warbeck]

This is a fine matchup.

I doubt it will happen, since Fish Eyes might not take risky fights for Itauma, but I hope it does.

[keithmoonhangover]

Itauma's good, but the hype is completely out of control.

[joshj909]

This is a fine matchup.

I doubt it will happen, since Fish Eyes might not take risky fights for Itauma, but I hope it does.

Only time I remember him doing so with one of his main boxers in recent years before a world title shot was Dubois Vs Joyce and we saw how that turned out. We just have to look how Yarde has been managed to see what Frank's ideal plans are for his boxers.

[KiwiRider]

Box office dynamite versus box office poison!

Beautifully put MW

[gregregegg]

Moses should have fought Frank. I don’t like Ollie for him… not yet.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Moses should have fought Frank. I don’t like Ollie for him… not yet.

Sanchez?

I mean he’s fighting Franklin. So that’s something.

[samwbr]

Itauma's good, but the hype is completely out of control.

We'll find out, I think Itauma will chin him tbh.

[keithmoonhangover]

Itauma's good, but the hype is completely out of control.

We'll find out, I think Itauma will chin him tbh.

You're talking about a guy who got floored numerous times by CBS. Oko ain't much of a challenge IMO.

[joshj909]

Itauma's good, but the hype is completely out of control.

We'll find out, I think Itauma will chin him tbh.

You're talking about a guy who got floored numerous times by CBS. Oko ain't much of a challenge IMO.

Yep, he's experienced but he chooses to fight ugly against anyone who puts up a fight. Itauma should be clear favourite but it's the learning curve he needs if Okolie can at least drag some rounds out and clinch. If he faces Kabayel after, that's the serious challenge

[gregregegg]

Moses should have fought Frank. I don’t like Ollie for him… not yet.

Sanchez?

I mean he’s fighting Franklin. So that’s something.

Yea Franklin is actualy the fight I want for him. I just think Frank Sanchez is a soft touch for a final eliminator in a belt that either gives you Usyk or vacant some time in the next 6-12 months.

Ideal move would of been to say you have Franklin booked but wil fight Frank Sanchez after…

I think Sanchez is bang average though, which isn’t a universal opinion.

[CaptainSpacerod]

[You're talking about a guy who got floored numerous times by CBS. Oko ain't much of a challenge IMO.

Dead at the weight ?

[samwbr]

Itauma's good, but the hype is completely out of control.

We'll find out, I think Itauma will chin him tbh.

You're talking about a guy who got floored numerous times by CBS. Oko ain't much of a challenge IMO.

Different at heavyweight i think

[SeanBrennan]

Do we know Okolie's opponent for the fight in Africa yet? Any rumoured?

I'd definitely like Itauma v Okolie but can't see it happening.

[deadpan]

Moses has not been tested in the chin, stamina or resolve columns yet.
Early kayos of McKean and a shot to shit Whyte isn't that ringing an endorsement.

I think Okolie pokes and grabs his way to a points win. Or is robbed.

[Coco]

Okalie is a good opponent to frustrate and get rounds out of Moses

[SeanBrennan]

Okalie is a good opponent to frustrate and get rounds out of Moses

Totally agree.

[Ruthless-RKO]