Moses Itauma was given a direct path to the IBF heavyweight title, leaving Queensberry with one obvious question: Why risk it all against Filip Hrgovic?

In a statement sent to World Boxing News, the International Boxing Federation confirmed that it had received official notice on June 26 of Oleksandr Usyk’s resignation as IBF heavyweight champion.

Under championship rules, the governing body ordered top-ranked Frank Sanchez to negotiate with number three contender Moses Itauma for the vacant title. Both have until July 29 to reach an agreement.

Immediately, Hrgovic became an unnecessary obstacle to Itauma’s path to the world title.

When Itauma agreed to face Hrgovic on August 29 at The O2 in London, it was the perfect step for one of boxing’s brightest adolescent heavyweights.

This equation has completely changed.

IBF pays tribute to Usyk

In a statement provided to WBN, the IBF also confirmed Usyk’s reign before confirming the order.

“Over the course of his distinguished career, Usyk has established himself as one of the sport’s elite competitors, and the IBF is honored to recognize him as one of its world champions.

“His talent and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on boxing and will continue to inspire future generations of fighters.

“The IBF wishes Oleksandr Usyk continued success in his future endeavors.”

Only after paying tribute to the former champion did the IBF officially order Sanchez and Itauma to negotiate for the vacant world title.

This is an opportunity that many contenders have been chasing for years. Itauma immediately received this opportunity.

Hrgović’s fight no longer makes sense

When Queensberry announced the fight with Hrgovic, promoter Frank Warren described it as a “litmus test” that Itauma was ready for, while DAZN described it as a key fight with world title implications.

These consequences have now become a reality.

No one doubts Itauma’s willingness to fight anyone. He signed a contract with Hrgovic before the world title unexpectedly landed on the table. This is a completely different situation.

Hrgovic remains one of the most perilous heavyweight contenders despite suffering only one loss to Daniel Dubois. Since then, the Croatian has regained momentum with victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen, which put him back among the top contenders in the division.

If an agreement can be reached, the obvious solution would be to replace Hrgović with Sanchez on August 29 in exchange for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

As compensation, Hrgovic could get the first shot at the recent champion if Itauma defeats Sanchez.

Whether this proves possible depends on whether all involved are willing to restructure the contracts already in place.

The heavyweight story still beckons

The change would also support Itauma in its historic mission, which has already missed one goal.

Itauma’s dream of breaking Mike Tyson’s record as the youngest heavyweight champion is gone, but another goal remains within reach.

If the 21-year-old wins the vacant IBF title before October, he will overtake Floyd Patterson to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion in history.

If he waits until the match against Hrgovic, this chance will be gone forever.

Queensberry matched Itauma with Hrgovic because it seemed like the quickest path to a chance at the championship.

The IBF has now given them an even faster fight.

Unless Hrgovic’s contract can no longer be salvaged, Queensberry should exhaust all options to hire Sanchez instead.

The IBF unexpectedly gave Itauma a world title shot and a chance to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion in history.

It would be arduous to justify giving up this opportunity in favor of unnecessary risk.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

The former world champion claims Lennox Lewis once admitted he should have retired after three defeats in his professional career.

“The Lion” is considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. He retired in 2003 after avenging his only two losses to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman.

Lewis also had a successful rematch with Evander Holyfield, who somehow managed to do so defended his world titles after a controversial draw in their first meeting.

However, later that year in 1999, Lewis managed to become the undisputed heavyweight champion after winning by unanimous decision, maintaining his lineal status until his retirement following a sixth-round victory over Vitali Klitschko.

However, already in 1996, many believed that the Briton should have suffered another defeat, this time to Ray Mercer, who had briefly held the WBO title in 1991.

The American eventually vacated the belt and was defeated by Larry Holmes the following year before losing a 10-round unanimous decision to Holyfield in 1995.

“Merciless” then faced Lewis in a battle between two Olympic gold medalists, this time suffering a highly controversial defeat by a 10-round majority.

I’m talking to James SlaterMercer insisted that even Lewis doubted he deserved to win their competition.

“Yeah, I won that fight, man. He admitted it to me. He knows, a fighter knows. I won that fight. He told me, ‘I know you’re going to win.’ I told him, ‘Where’s my half of your check!’

“He said OK. Every time I see him, I tell him I’m still waiting! They were preparing him for the fight [Mike] Tyson. That’s what happened and that’s why they gave him the win.

As it happened, Lewis didn’t face Mike Tyson until 2002, when he secured victory after the eighth round.

Instead, after the controversy with Mercer, there was a rematch with McCall, whom he stopped for the WBC title.

As announced by the promoters, Moses Itauma will face Filip Hrgovic at The O2 in London on Saturday, August 29, in a heavyweight fight scheduled to be broadcast live on DAZN on pay-per-view.

Itauma, 21, is undefeated at 14-0, has 12 knockouts and holds the WBO Intercontinental, WBA International and Commonwealth titles. His last fight was in March, when he defeated American Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round at the Co-op Live gala in Manchester. This fight was his longest since 2023; several of his recent wins have come in the opening round, including stoppages of Dillian Whyte and Demsey McKean.

Hrgovic, 34, of Croatia, has a record of 20-1, 15 knockouts and a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. He previously held first place in the IBF ranking. In May he stopped Dave Allen in the third round at Doncasterand his third victory in a row. The escape came after his defeat to Daniel Dubois in June 2024, the only defeat of his career, which saw him overtake David Adeleye and Joe Joyce.

Hrgovic is the most experienced opponent Itauma has faced as a professional. He was stopped once in 21 fights and faced several world-class heavyweights.

“This has all the hallmarks of a classic heavyweight showdown and we were determined to see it through to the end,” said promoter Frank Warren. “This fight is the litmus test that Moses is ready for and it is the one he wanted. Filip believes it will be too much, too soon for the adolescent star. On August 29 at The O2 we will find out what will be another amazing night for British boxing.”