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Moses Itauma could face Frank Sanchez for the vacant IBF belt after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his world heavyweight titles

Frank Sanchez is set to receive a shot at the vacant IBF world heavyweight title after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF, WBA and WBC belts; Sanchez expects to fight Moses Itauma "in the near future"; Itauma fights Filip Hrgovic in August in a battle between two highly-ranked IBF contenders

Frank Sanchez expects to face Britain's unbeaten contender Moses Itauma for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title.

Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the IBF belt, as well as his WBA and WBC titles last week, and Sanchez is now in prime position to challenge for a world title as the IBF No 1-ranked contender.

Itauma's next fight is already confirmed against Filip Hrgovic on August 29, in a bout between the two other highest-ranked IBF contenders, and the winner could be in line to face Sanchez for the vacant IBF belt.

Sanchez's manager Mike Borao told Sky Sports: "My expectation is that Moses Itauma could possibly be Frank Sanchez's opponent in the near future, but we will have to wait and see who he ultimately fights next for the vacant title."

Itauma had been ordered to face Sanchez in an IBF final eliminator last September, but the fight was turned down for the 21-year-old.

"I was surprised when Moses initially turned down the final eliminator against Frank recently," Borao added.

"Moses is an incredible talent with massive upside. I myself am a fan of Moses, but a fight with Frank is probably a bit too soon, since he is young and there are other paths to a title for him."

Itauma's last fight was in March, a ruthless fifth-round stoppage of American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester, but he is taking another step-up in class against Hrgovic, who holds wins over Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce.

Sanchez was hampered by a serious knee injury when he suffered his sole defeat against newly-crowned WBC champion Agit Kabayel, and the Cuban demolished Richard Torrez Jr in front of watching gym-mate Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to become IBF mandatory challenger in May.

"Frank Sanchez will become the first Cuban heavyweight champion in 2026, no matter who he boxes for the vacant title," said Borao.

"In the end, it doesn't matter who Frank boxes because, as I have always said, a healthy Frank Sanchez with [trainer] Eddy Reynoso and Canelo in his corner beats anyone.

"Frank's single loss resulted from an injury. A healthy Sanchez would have beaten Agit Kabayel, in my opinion.

"Boxing fans saw the devastation a healthy Frank Sanchez is capable of against Richard Torrez."

I've voted Moses by KO

I think Moses is part of the new generation of boxers and I think he will be a world champion at some point

Good fight that if it happens

Sánchez looks stronger than ever

This was obvious. IBF are the first to make a move to try and secure a top champion. WBA are the only other ones that could move ahead and try to directly sanction Itauma Vs Hemrgovic for the belt. However, Frank has previously seemed fairly adamant that Itauma will face Dubois.

Frank Sanchez hopes to face Moses Itauma-Filip Hrgovic winner for IBF title

Frank Sanchez, the leading IBF heavyweight contender, will watch the August 29 battle between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic with interest.

Oleksandr Usyk last week relinquished the IBF title, as well as his WBC and WBA straps, to focus on a 'last dance'. The WBC has since elevated interim beltholder Agit Kabayel to full champion and the WBA will now reportedly recognize Murat Gassiev, the 'regular' titlist, as their main man in the banner division. The situation with the IBF, however, isn't so clear.

Sanchez, who sits at No. 1 with the IBF, needs an opponent to challenge for the vacant title with the No. 2 position currently vacant. Itauma is third and Hrgovic is fourth.

Itauma, promoted by Queensberry, had previously been ordered to face Sanchez in an eliminator but the opportunity was turned down by the Englishman's team. The reason, Boxing Scene were informed, was due to Usyk then holding three belts and the IBF being last in the pecking order to enforce a mandatory. With Usyk now set to go his own way, that situation no longer applies.

"My expectation is that Moses Itauma could possibly be Frank Sanchez's opponent in the near future, but we will have to wait and see who he ultimately fights next for the vacant title," Sanchez's manager, Mike Borao, told Sky Sports.

Cuba's Sanchez, 26-1 (19 KOs), faced Richard Torrez Jnr instead after Itauma passed on the chance, spectacularly stopping the American in two rounds. His only loss came in 2024 when he was stopped in seven rounds by Kabayel.

"I was surprised when Moses initially turned down the final eliminator against Frank Recently," Borao continued.

"Moses is an incredible talent with a massive upside. I myself am a fan of Moses but a fight with Frank is probably a bit too soon, since he is young and there are other paths to a title for him."

Itauma, 14-0 (12 KOs), blasted out the durable Jermaine Franklin in March and is now the leading contender with the WBA and WBO. Daniel Dubois, also promoted by Queensberry, is the WBO champion and has been mentioned as a potential next opponent for Itauma if he gets past Hrgovic.

"Frank Sanchez will become the first Cuban heavyweight champion in 2026, no matter who he boxes for the vacant title," Borao said. "In the end, it doesn't matter who Frank boxes because, as I have always said, a healthy Frank Sanchez with [coach] Eddy Reynoso and Canelo [Alvarez] in his corner beats anyone.

"Frank's single loss resulted from an injury. A healthy Sanchez would have beaten Agit Kabayel in my opinion. Boxing fans saw the devastation Frank Sanchez is capable of against Richard Torrez."

I can not see the IBF waiting until early next year to fill the vacancy.

The IBF have now officially ordered Frank Sanchez vs Moses Itauma for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title after Oleksandr Usyk vacated.

Itauma is scheduled to fight Filip Hrgovic on August 29th on DAZN.

Why would they order it if Moses is already fighting in 60 days.

Doesn’t make sense.

Are we gonna get a pull out now.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑30 Jun 2026, 14:31 Why would they order it if Moses is already fighting in 60 days.

Doesn’t make sense.

Are we gonna get a pull out now.

Basically changes nothing at all unless they pull him out. This was the plan anyway.

Sanchez could end up as The Prospect Slayer.

Fwank won't put him in with Sanchez.

Makes absolutely zero sense ordering that when Moses is already scheduled to fight number 3 ranked.
Might as well make Moses v Hrgovic for the vacant with the winner ordered to defend against Sanchez.

jlh wrote: ↑30 Jun 2026, 18:18 Makes absolutely zero sense ordering that when Moses is already scheduled to fight number 3 ranked.
Might as well make Moses v Hrgovic for the vacant with the winner ordered to defend against Sanchez.

Yh this makes more sense

Can't get on board with that.
Hrgovic was ordered to face Sanchez in an eliminator last year. Wasn't it also offered to Itauma with it finally ending up as Sanchez v Torrez when they went down the list.

It's possible the IBF just want to get the negotiations started now in order to have the belt filled ASAP. But the IBF don't need to wait on contenders to fill their belt who already passed on earlier opportunities.

Sanchez can fight ______ in the coming months, just insert who wants to fight for the IBF title.
Maybe they can sort it so Sanchez faces the winner of Itauma v Hrgovic in Autumn.

If not, go down the rankings until someone agree to the opportunity:
Itauma > Hrgovic > Joshua > Jalolov > Fury > Warley > Wilder > Riakpore > etc.

IBF Orders Sanchez To Fight Itauma For Vacant Heavyweight Title

The IBF ordered Moses Itauma to face Frank Sanchez for its vacant heavyweight title Tuesday.

The two parties have until July 29 to reach a deal. The path to Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) versus Sanchez (26-1, 19 KOs) actually happening next is anything but clear, however.

Itauma already has a fight scheduled for August 29, when he is set to face Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic at O2 Arena in London. Itauma’s handlers could pivot toward a title fight versus Sanchez, but it would likely require a sizeable step-aside fee for Hrgovic and a contractual guarantee for Hrgovic to challenge the Sanchez-Itauma winner next.

If representatives for Sanchez and Itauma can’t reach an agreement, the IBF would allow Sanchez to fight the next available leading contender for its title.

Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF title along with the WBA and WBC belts Friday.

The 33-year-old Sanchez, of Guantanamo, Cuba, became the IBF’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight with a devastating second-round knockout of Richard Torrez (14-1, 12 KOs) in a title eliminator on May 23 at The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Itauma, 21, is the IBF’s No. 3-ranked heavyweight, while Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) is No. 4. Hrgovic, 34, is ranked No. 5 in The Ring’s top 10, one spot in front of Itauma.

Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) is No. 5 in the IBF rankings, but he is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) on July 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and is expected to finally fight British rival Tyson Fury in late 2026.

Bakhodir Jalolov (17-0, 15 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Uzbekistan, is the IBF’s No. 6-ranked heavyweight. The 6-foot-7 southpaw has yet to be scheduled for a 12-round fight in his career or face someone close to the world title picture as a pro.

Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) and former heavyweight world champions Fabio Wardley and Deontay Wilder make up the next three spots, respectively. Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs) has a rematch clause to face WBO champion Daniel Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) after Dubois stopped him in the 11th round of their May 9 bout, while Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) is on the short list of opponents for Usyk’s next and potentially final fight.

Former cruiserweight world title challenger and current British heavyweight champion Richard Riakporhe (20-1, 16 KOs) is No. 10 and Torrez sits at No. 11. Guido Vianello (14-3-1, 12 KOs) is No. 12 and Justis Huni (13-1, 7 KOs) is No. 13.

Efe Ajagba (21-1-1, 15 KOs) is rated No. 14 and Brandon Moore (19-1, 10 KOs) rounds out the IBF’s heavyweight rankings at No. 15.

Sanchez already beat Ajagba by unanimous decision in October 2021. The No. 2 spot in the IBF’s rankings is vacant.

Could be Sanchez vs. Jalolov

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑01 Jul 2026, 04:18 Could be Sanchez vs. Jalolov

I would watch it