MOSES ITAUMA AND FILIP HRGOVIC TO FIGHT FOR VACANT IBF TITLE, FRANK SANCHEZ PAID TO STEP ASIDE

Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic square up on June 22, 2026

Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic, set to collide on August 29 at London, England’s O2 Arena, will now be fighting for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

No. 3-ranked Itauma, 14-0 (12 KOs), had been ordered by the sanctioning body to face leading IBF contender, Frank Sanchez, after the bout with Hrgovic had already been signed and announced. And with the Croatian rated fourth by the organization, it has been agreed that they can instead do battle for the belt on the condition that the winner meets Sanchez in their first defense.

“We paid [Sanchez] some money,” promoter Frank Warren told the BBC. “We said whoever wins the fight, you’re not losing out and you’ll get the opportunity to fight for the title against the winner.”

The 34-year-old Cuban, 26-1 (19 KOs), had achieved mandatory status with the IBF by knocking out Richard Torrez Jnr in two rounds in May.

Hrgovic, 20-1 (15 KOs), is riding a three-fight win streak – beating Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen – and is regarded as 21-year-old Itauma’s toughest test to date.

Presuming Itauma-Hrgovic isn’t a draw, it means that Warren’s Queensberry Promotions – who handle both Itauma and Hrgovic, as well as WBC boss Agit Kabayel and WBO beltholder Daniel Dubois – will promote three of the four heavyweight beltholders come the end of the month. The WBA titlist, Murat Gassiev, had previously been expected to face Itauma later in the year.

"A lot of people have high expectations of [Itauma] as I have, by the way," Warren said. "We signed him when he was 16. He was an amateur. We sponsored him, and he turned professional with us.

"And he's been amazing and sort of taken the world by storm.”

The influx of heavyweight beltholders can of course be explained by Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish his three titles in June. Though the 39-year-old is plotting one last fight – likely against Deontay Wilder – the Ukrainian’s days of fighting elite opposition are over, it seems.

Kabayel and Gassiev saw their statuses rise by virtue of Usyk’s decision to step down. Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley to claim his belt after Wardley was handed the championship when Usyk gave up the WBO title last year.

The winner of Itauma-Hrgovic will be the first to claim one of Usyk’s old belts in the ring.

- BoxingScene 

FIVE BOXERS TYSON FURY COULD FACE BEFORE ANTHONY JOSAHUA FIGHT AS FRANK WARREN CONFIRMS PLANS

Fans could see Tyson Fury back in the ring before a blockbuster fight against Anthony Joshua later this year... but against who?

Tyson Fury is set to fight Anthony Joshua(Image: (Mark Robinson/Getty Images))

1. The heavyweights in the frame: Staying active: Tyson Fury has reportedly instructed Frank Warren to secure an interim date to avoid the ring rust that plagued his early rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It has been said that the Gypsy King feels that a second training camp this year could be essential for his mental discipline and physical conditioning before facing a revitalised Joshua.

2. Makhmudov rematch: A second bout with Makhmudov may remain a viable fallback option given the Russian's durability and the commercial success of their first encounter on Netflix. While Fury won convincingly on the scorecards, Makkmudov's early aggression provided the exact type of hair-raising moments that keep the public engaged.

3. Big Bang threat: Zhilei Zhang stands out as a highly feasible candidate because his southpaw stance and massive power would offer Fury the ultimate tactical dress rehearsal. Despite being in the twilight of his career, 'Big Bang' remains a top-tier gatekeeper whose involvement would draw massive international viewership and test Fury's defensive reflexes.

4. The Bakole challenge: Choosing Martin Bakole would silence critics who claim Fury is looking for an easy touch, as the Congolese giant possesses the engine and physical size to make every round a gruelling chore. The 32-year-old hasn't fought since his draw against Efe Ajagba in May 2025.

5. Joshua's risky tune-up: Anthony Joshua is set to face the Albanian Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25, a fight that Frank Warren warned could "kill" the Fury bout if an upset occurs. Because Prenga boasts a formidable knockout ratio, the entire 2026 boxing calendar rests on Joshua successfully navigating this dangerous hurdle without sustaining an injury.

6. WBC interim situation: Agit Kabayel currently holds a position of power as the WBC interim champion, making a fight with Fury logically consistent for the governing body's rankings. A victory over Kabayel would allow Fury to walk into the Joshua fight as the undisputed focus of the WBC, removing any political obstacles regarding mandatory challengers.

7. British domestic clash: Fabio Wardley remains a dark horse for the interim slot due to his recent surge in popularity and his status as a fellow Queensberry-promoted fighter. A domestic showdown with Wardley - who faces Daniel Dubois next week - would serve as a perfect "Battle of Britain" appetiser, though some believe the risk of a domestic upset is too high for such a late stage in negotiations.

8. Timing and logistics: The proposed interim fight would likely need to take place in late summer or early autumn to allow for a three-month recovery and preparation window before the Joshua clash. This tight turnaround requires an opponent who is already in active training and ready to sign a contract without prolonged promotional disputes.

9. Saudi Arabian backing: Most of these potential matchups are contingent on the support of Riyadh Season, which has become the primary financial engine for the heavyweight division's biggest events. Regardless of whether the fight lands in London or Saudi Arabia, the organisers are keen to ensure both Fury and Joshua enter their final 2026 clash at their absolute best.

10. READ THE FULL STORY ON ANTHONY JOSHUA'S DIG AT TYSON FURY: Tyson Fury immediately takes dig from Anthony Joshua as two fights announced

- Fasika Zelealem

ZHILEL ZHANG VS. AGIT KABAYEL | HIGHLIGHTS

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA HAS SEVEN-MAN SHORTLIST FOR NEXT FIGHT AFTER TUSON FURY RETIREMENT

Anthony Joshua has no fight planned (Image: Getty Images)

Anthony Joshua has been left in limbo following Tyson Fury's shock retirement - but has a number of possible options for his next fight, according to Eddie Hearn

Eddie Hearn has insisted Anthony Joshua is not short of options for his next bout, even if Tyson Fury remains retired.

In a stunning turn of events on Monday, Fury announced he was stepping away from boxing. The 'Gypsy King' chose to retire following his defeat in the rematch against Oleksandr Usyk last month in Riyadh. "Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet," Fury declared. "I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing, it has been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it and I'm going to end with this; Dick Turpin wore a mask."

This move by Fury scuppers any hopes for a much-anticipated all-British clash with Joshua. Nonetheless, speaking to The Sun, Joshua's promoter assured fans that 'AJ' has a wealth of potential contenders for his forthcoming fight. Among the names mentioned are Martin Bakole, Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois, and Joseph Parker. Joshua suffered a knockout at the hands of Dubois in their September showdown.Since then, 'Triple D' has expressed interest in a rematch with 'AJ', which seemed set for February. However, Hearn has indicated that Joshua isn't ready for the rematch just yet due to minor injuries sustained in their initial encounter.

Dubois is now set to clash with Parker in Riyadh on February 22 in a much-anticipated duel. This heavyweight encounter has the potential to pave the way for one of them to face Joshua next. Post their 2018 match-up, Parker would relish the chance to even the score with 'AJ' should he prevail against 'Triple D'. Meanwhile, Bakole issued a blistering challenge to Joshua and is now seen as a possible opponent for the Watford-born pugilist.

The two have sparred previously, and at 31, Bakole cements his top-contender status after defeating Jared Anderson. He taunted Joshua, saying: "Anthony Joshua, I called you out. I wanted to knock you out," and "Now you're talking s**** to say Ajagba is going to beat me. "Shame on you. How many times did I call you out? How many times did I ask you to fight in Africa? You should be ashamed of yourself. I want to fight you. I want to knock you out. Look at Daniel Dubois, I broke his nose twice. He knocked you out cold. If you fight me, I'll knock you out in the first round.

"You're talking about Ajagba. Ajagba is a baby. Wait till you see how I knock him out. I invite you to be there. You're talking s***. I want to fight you. Stop talking nonsense. Now you're saying you're Nigerian. You're not British anymore? I'll knock you out. I'm an African giant. I'm an African warrior. After knocking out Ajagba, I will knock you out as well."

A rematch with Whyte could be on the cards, as boxing enthusiasts believe it would be the ideal warm-up fight before taking on the division's top stars. A match with Wilder would be fascinating given their long-standing feud. 'The Bronze Bomber' is aiming for a comeback and one significant victory could enhance his chances of another high-profile bout. Both Zhang and Kabayel are set to face off next month for the WBC interim title - with the belt ensuring them a shot at Usyk's title or the opportunity to be promoted should the Ukrainian relinquish the gold strap.

- JAMES EVANS

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS. DANIEL DUBOIS: IBF SET FOR APRIL 2025 REMATCH DEADLINE DATE FOR ANY SECOND HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT

A potential rematch between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua would have to happen by April 22 next year, according to the IBF's rules; Dubois' mandatory title defence is likely to be against the winner of Martin Bakole's IBF final eliminator against Agit Kabayel.

The IBF will permit their heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois to rematch Anthony Joshua. But there is a deadline on it.

A Dubois vs Joshua would have to happen before a date in April of next year.

Dubois knocked out Joshua last month at Wembley Stadium in sensational style to defend the title.

For Dubois, who was elevated from Interim titlist to world champion prior to that fight, the contest with Joshua was actually a mandatory title defence.

Under the IBF's rules, Dubois now has nine months within which he can make a voluntary defence, opening the door for a Joshua rematch, as long as it happens by April 22.

Rule 5.A.2 of the IBF's regulations regarding the heavyweight division states that "all optional defences, and any and all other bouts, by a champion shall be concluded at least 60 days prior to the date the champion's mandatory is due".

After this date, Dubois must fulfil a mandatory title defence, which is likely to be against the winner of Martin Bakole's IBF final eliminator with Agit Kabayel.

Dubois will be notified on approximately April 22 of his June 21 mandatory.

The IBF regulations state the champion "shall be obligated to mandatorily defend his championship within intervals of no more than nine months against the leading available contender in the heavyweight division as designated by the championships chairman".

The IBF has, however, stated that Dubois would be free to pursue a unification bout after this date.

The only unification fight available to Dubois would be against the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch and thus a shot at the undisputed heavyweight title.

Usyk will fight Fury in Saudi Arabia on December 21, with the WBC, WBO and WBA belts at stake.

Plans for AJ vs Dubois II?

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, which stages the Riyadh Season events, revealed that a major fight card is being put together that will pit rival promoters Queensberry and Matchroom against each other.

In June Queensberry beat Matchroom in a '5 vs 5' team match. A second version of that event is being worked on for February which could involve the Dubois-Joshua rematch.

Previously Alalshikh told Sky Sports: "See in February again Queensberry against Matchroom, 5 vs 5, we will finish it maybe this week with a big surprise and then let's see the result about this fight, the result of the big fight December 21, [Oleksandr] Usyk-Tyson [Fury].

"Joshua, Dubois, Tyson, Usyk, everyone, everyone on the line.

"This is what we want. We want the big fights and to see who's really the best fighters in each division."

Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, previously told Sky Sports: "I know that he is leaning towards the rematch because he wants to win the world heavyweight title.

"Fighting [Deontay] Wilder, [or] waiting for Fury, and then you've got all next year bubbling around not really fighting for the world heavyweight title.

"If it's solely down to AJ, which it will be at the end of the day, I think it's going to be very hard to talk him out of taking the rematch."

- skysports.com

AGIT KABAYEL (GERMANY) VS. ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV (RUSSIA)