IBF order vacant world title fight between Itauma and Sanchez.
Of the boxing world’s most promising young fighters, perhaps none have shown as much promise or apparent talent as Moses Itauma, potentially the next heavyweight king.
That’s what the hype has told us anyway, with the 21-year-old Briton having yet to be challenged in any actual manner. And 14 fights into his career, he has only fought a total of 31 rounds.
That amounts to just over two-and-a-half fights over the full championship distance.
When he last fought in March, Itauma took care of Jermaine Franklin, an American renowned for his tough chin. Against Itauma, Franklin folded in five. And instantly, there was immediate talk along the lines of, “Okay…we need someone with a tougher chin.”
That “someone” rocked up in the form of Filip Hrgovic, a world-ranked Croatian who represents the biggest test of Itauma’s career.
The two will officially square off on the 29th of August. However, if Itauma comes through that fight as the victor, it appears he may be going straight into his first title fight.
Earlier today, the IBF ordered that Itauma fight Frank Sanchez for their vacant heavyweight title, which was recently relinquished by then-unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Sanchez recently impressed in a major way by violently dispatching of Richard Torrez Jr., an undefeated American who was considered a potential foe for Itauma somewhere down the line.
Given that Sanchez is ranked #1 by the IBF (with the #2 spot being vacant), Itauma is ranked #3, and Hrgovic is ranked #4, it is likely that should Itauma lose his next fight, Hrgovic will get the opportunity instead.
We’ll see.
Itauma and Sanchez have until the 29th of July to agree to terms, exactly a month before the Englishman is set to take on Hrgovic.
The IBF has officially ordered Frank Sanchez and Moses Itauma to fight for their vacant heavyweight title.
The pair have until July 29 to come to an agreement.
Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic on August 29. pic.twitter.com/5qajMdvmVX
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) June 30, 2026
Want to get the latest boxing news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
