Moses Itauma is fast becoming one of the most exciting fighters in the sport and the Kent-based phenomenon looks set to be mandated for a shot at the heavyweight throne.
Itauma has fought on 14 occasions since his 2023 debut and has rose into title contention with wins over Demsey McKean, Mike Balogun, Dillian Whyte and, most recently, Jermaine Franklin Jr – who he halted after five rounds of action last month.
In the post-fight interview following that win, promoter Frank Warren unveiled plans for Itauma to return to action in July and then challenge for the heavyweight crown at the end of the calendar year.
Currently, the WBA route seems to be the most likely option, especially if Oleksandr Usyk chooses to vacate or is stripped of the title and reigning WBA Regular champion Murat Gassiev is elevated to full world champion.
Alternatively, the IBF title is another that Usyk may either relinquish or lose; consequently meaning that the winner of Frank Sanchez versus Richard Torrez Jr. could either be upgraded or positioned for a vacant title shot.
Yet, despite fans’ demand for a clash between Itauma and Usyk, it seems as though he could attempt to dethrone a different reigning champion, due to his ranking as the number one contender with the WBO.
Speaking to ThaBoxingVoice, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri revealed that Itauma is likely to be named as their mandatory challenger and ordered for a shot at the victor of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois.
“In light of Moses’ recent victory, against a well-rated contender in Franklin, I will formally recommend that he be designated as the mandatory challenger of the heavyweight division in the WBO.
“If they [the committee] vote, which I presume and expect that that is going to be the vote, Moses will be designated as the mandatory. Now, the question is, when will the mandatory be enforced, in other words, called?
“That remains to be seen; it could be called immediately after the Wardley-Dubois fight or thereafter, that is a discussion that the committee has.”
Current champion Wardley and Itauma train out of the same gym, and Wardley has said that the only situation in which a fight between them would become a serious conversation is if they held all the belts and could fight for undisputed. Should he beat Dubois, fans can expect Itauma to pursue one of the other titles.
However, if Dubois becomes a two-time champion on May 9 by beating Wardley, there is nothing standing in the way of Itauma looking to enforce his mandatory position.