Moses Itauma called for accepting final heavyweight title eliminator: ‘I already said yes’
Lawrence Okolie has confirmed his interest in a potential showdown with Moses Itauma, hoping to move closer to a world title shot.
The former cruiserweight world champion will return to action this Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria, against Ebenezer Tetteh, a relatively short-notice opponent.
But while Okolie expects to accomplish his mission twice as fast, his mind has already drifted to a more meaningful challenge.
It was announced at the WBC convention earlier this month that the 33-year-old had been ordered to face Itauma in a final eliminator for Oleksandr Usyk’s belt.
And although Okolie has to take care of business first this weekend, he nevertheless insisted that a clash with the 20-year-old prodigy interests him greatly.
Itauma, meanwhile, also has his hands full, with an intriguing test against enduring client Jermaine Franklin taking place on January 24 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
Headlining the Queensberry Promotions event next month, Itauma, whose last nine outings have lasted no more than two rounds, is set to face his toughest challenge yet.
But Okolie, of course, is no stranger to the young knockout artist, having previously shared games with the then 15-year-old prospect in sparring.
Since then, Itauma has only grown his formidable reputation, with many considering him the heir apparent to the true heavyweight king Usyk.
But despite the undefeated southpaw’s undeniable talent and potential, Okolie told Boxing News that the WBC final eliminator will definitely be on his radar in 2026.
“I already said yes [to Queensberry] – I’m up for boxing Moses. I hope he says the same thing, and we’ll get there after we both win our next fights.
“In a fight against someone like Moses, who is a big name in the UK, you wonder, ‘Okay, am I still young and strong and powerful enough to continue my trajectory? Or is this new young star going to be the one?’ [to end his ambition of winning a world heavyweight title]?’ I want to find out.
“[Franklin] It’s going to be a really good learning fight for him. If he doesn’t manage to eliminate it quickly, he will gain valuable experience.
“[But] I hope [Itauma] knocks him out in the first round, so he doesn’t learn anything. And then, when he and I argue, these questions can always arise.
