Rising British-Nigerian heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma will now fight for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title when he takes on Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on 29 August, following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish his remaining world titles.
The development elevates what was already one of the most anticipated heavyweight contests of the year into a full world title showdown.
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Initially, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) had ordered mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez to face the unbeaten Itauma for the vacant championship after the Cuban earned his position with a devastating second-round knockout of Richard Torrez Jr. in their final eliminator on 3 May.
However, with the Itauma-Hrgovic bout already contracted and scheduled, promoter Queensberry Promotions successfully negotiated a lucrative step-aside agreement with Sanchez.
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Under the deal, reportedly worth millions, Sanchez agreed to postpone his title opportunity in return for a guaranteed shot at the eventual champion.
Credit: DAZN boxing on X
The IBF officially ratified the arrangement, confirming that Sanchez will retain his status as the organisation’s No. 1 contender and must challenge the winner within six months.
Sanchez’s manager, Mike Borao, welcomed the agreement, insisting it benefits his fighter without delaying his path to a world title.
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“This deal is in the best interest of Frank Sanchez,” Borao said.
“It doesn’t affect his timeline to fight for the world title; it only positively affects his earnings for the bout against the winner of Itauma-Hrgovic.”
For Itauma, the stakes have never been higher.
The unbeaten 21-year-old heads into the biggest fight of his career boasting a flawless record of 14 victories, including 12 knockouts, and victory would see him write his name into boxing history.
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At 21 years and 244 days old on fight night, Itauma would become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion of all time, behind only the legendary Mike Tyson, who captured the title as a 20-year-old after stopping Trevor Berbick in 1986.
Standing in his way is Hrgovic, whose experience and recent resurgence make him a formidable opponent.
The Croatian has a professional record of 20 wins and 1 defeat, with 15 knockouts, and has impressively rebuilt his momentum since suffering his only career loss to Daniel Dubois in June 2024.
Since then, the 34-year-old has recorded victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen, arriving in London in arguably the best form of his professional career.
A victory for Hrgovic would also be historic, making him Croatia’s first-ever heavyweight world champion.
Queensberry Promotions chairman Frank Warren, who has guided Itauma’s career since signing him as a 16-year-old amateur, believes the gifted heavyweight is ready for boxing’s biggest stage.
“We signed him when he was 16; he was an amateur. We sponsored him, and he turned professional with us, and he has been amazing and taken the world by storm,” Warren said.
“This is a big moment for him, but I am confident he can do it.”
With a world title now on the line, all eyes will be on the O2 Arena as one of boxing’s brightest young talents attempts to announce himself as the new king of the heavyweight division.
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