IBF Shock: Moses Itauma Offered Dangerous Eliminator Bout — Will He Survive the Path to Usyk?

Moses Itauma, the rising heavyweight sensation, is on the verge of a career-defining opportunity: an IBF final eliminator bout that could make him the mandatory challenger for undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk. This potential fight has already sent shockwaves through the boxing community, sparking debates over strategy, risk, and the path to glory in the heavyweight division.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) had previously ordered a showdown between Frank Sanchez and Efe Ajagba to fill the vacant No.1 spot in their rankings. However, the bout has hit a significant roadblock, as Ajagba has reportedly pulled out, leaving a void in the IBF’s top contender rotation. Sources indicate that Ajagba’s withdrawal was driven by dissatisfaction with the purse bid outcome, a decision that now opens the door for Itauma.

According to esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael, Ajagba rejected the fight after his team deemed the split insufficient. In the purse bid, Sanchez’s promoter, Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), offered $302,000, surpassing the $210,000 bid submitted by Top Rank, which represents Ajagba. Under the bid’s terms, Ajagba would have pocketed $181,200, while Sanchez would earn $120,800 plus his minimum contracted purse with PBC, which could have significantly boosted his payout. This financial disagreement ultimately paved the way for a new contender to step into the spotlight.

With Ajagba stepping aside, the IBF is set to reassess its rankings to find a suitable replacement to face Sanchez. Enter Moses Itauma, currently ranked No.5 by the IBF and widely regarded as one of the most promising heavyweights in the world. If Itauma declines, the IBF could potentially offer the eliminator to the next highest-ranked contenders, including Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. at No.6, followed by Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic at No.7 and No.8.

Will Moses Itauma Take the Risky Call?

Despite the tantalizing opportunity to secure a mandatory shot at Usyk, it is far from certain that Itauma will accept the IBF eliminator. The Chatham southpaw currently holds the No.1 ranking with the WBO and WBA, offering him strategic options that may be more lucrative or advantageous than facing a dangerous opponent like Sanchez at this stage of his career.

Promoter Frank Warren recently confirmed that a fight for December 13 in Manchester is imminent, targeting a top 10-ranked contender. Potential matchups include Sanchez, but Itauma’s team has also expressed interest in a clash with Jermaine Franklin, a fight that could allow Itauma to gain valuable rounds and experience without jeopardizing his ascending career trajectory.

For many analysts, Itauma’s WBO and WBA rankings may serve him better, as both sanctioning bodies place him higher in their rotation system, offering a potentially smoother path toward a world title. With the heavyweight landscape currently dominated by Usyk, who became undisputed champion for a second time by defeating IBF champion Dubois in July, strategic career management has never been more critical.

Who is Frank Sanchez?

Accepting the IBF eliminator would be no easy task. Frank Sanchez, the Miami-based Cuban, is a formidable opponent with a reputation for being both dangerous and unpredictable. Although Sanchez suffered the first professional defeat of his career to Agit Kabayel last May, he has previously demonstrated his ability to dominate elite competition.

Sanchez outclassed Ajagba in October 2021 and dispatched Junior Fa in December 2023 with relative ease. A knee injury, which he carried into his stoppage loss to Kabayel, sidelined him for a period, but he returned to the ring in February with a win over Mexican journeyman Ramon Olivas Echeverria, reaffirming his status as a serious threat in the heavyweight division.

Facing Sanchez in an eliminator would be a high-risk, high-reward scenario for Itauma. Victory could catapult him to a world title shot against Usyk, while a loss could temporarily derail his ascent and require careful recalibration.

The Stakes: Mandatory Challenger Status and Usyk’s Reign

The IBF’s final eliminator carries enormous significance. Winning would automatically position Itauma as the mandatory challenger for Usyk, who has solidified his dominance across all four major sanctioning bodies — WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF. Usyk’s technical brilliance, footwork, and resilience make him a formidable puzzle for any challenger.

For Itauma, the decision comes down to timing and career trajectory. With multiple belts and organizations in play, strategic matchmaking is crucial. The path to Usyk could be direct through the IBF eliminator, or potentially more advantageous via WBO or WBA bouts that allow for gradual buildup and ranking consolidation.

Heavyweight Division Landscape: Who’s Next?

Should Itauma decline, the IBF has a deep bench of contenders ready to seize the opportunity. Richard Torrez Jr., ranked No.6, has shown explosive potential, while Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic, ranked No.7 and No.8 respectively, are both hungry for world-level recognition. Each fighter presents unique stylistic challenges, but none can match the current hype surrounding Moses Itauma.

Itauma’s Promising December Bout

Regardless of the IBF situation, Itauma’s team is focused on confirming a fight for December 13 in Manchester. The matchup is expected to be against a top-10 ranked contender, a fight that could serve as a showcase for Itauma’s skills and readiness for the global stage. Whether that opponent is Sanchez, Franklin, or another contender, the stakes are high — and the boxing world will be watching closely.

Expert Analysis: Should Itauma Accept the Eliminator?

Boxing analysts are divided. On one hand, the eliminator offers a direct path to a world title shot against one of the division’s greatest champions, Oleksandr Usyk. On the other hand, a premature confrontation with a dangerous opponent like Sanchez could jeopardize Itauma’s momentum and delay his rise.

Strategically, Itauma has the luxury of choice. His current rankings with the WBO and WBA, coupled with Frank Warren’s promotional support, give him multiple avenues to title contention. Accepting the IBF eliminator now is not just a fight — it’s a career-defining gamble.

Why Fans Are Watching Closely

The heavyweight division is witnessing a renaissance of talent, with young stars like Moses Itauma, Richard Torrez Jr., Daniel Dubois, and Filip Hrgovic all vying for a shot at the throne. Fans are already speculating: Will Itauma seize the IBF opportunity or wait for a more calculated approach through his WBO and WBA rankings? How will this decision shape his path toward facing the undisputed champion, Usyk?

The intrigue is amplified by the financial and strategic dynamics behind the scenes. Purse bids, promoter negotiations, and ranking politics are as much a part of the game as the fights themselves. Every move, every decision, could have career-altering consequences, making this a story worth following closely.

Conclusion: A Critical Crossroads for Moses Itauma

Moses Itauma stands at a pivotal moment in his career. The IBF final eliminator against Frank Sanchez represents both a risk and an opportunity — a single fight that could catapult him to a world title shot against Oleksandr Usyk. Alternatively, bypassing the eliminator could allow Itauma to maneuver strategically through his WBO and WBA rankings, potentially entering a world title fight better prepared and more financially advantageous.

As the boxing world waits, the questions loom large: Will Itauma accept the challenge? Can he navigate the treacherous waters of heavyweight politics, finances, and rankings to achieve glory? Or will he opt for a calculated path, waiting for the perfect moment to strike at the undisputed champion?

One thing is certain: Moses Itauma’s next move will shape the future of the heavyweight division, and boxing fans around the globe are watching, debating, and anticipating every development. The countdown to the IBF eliminator — or the December showcase bout — has begun, and the world is ready for what could be a career-defining fight.