The WBC has ordered Lawrence Okolie and #4 Moses Itauma to fight in a final heavyweight eliminator to determine a mandatory challenger for champion Oleksandr Usyk.
WBC pulls the trigger
The two heavyweights are expected to go through with the fight, provided they win their next bouts. Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) has a must-win fight on December 19, and Itauma fights Jermaine Franklin on January 24, 2026.
Earlier todayon December 3, the WBC announced this at its annual convention in Bangkok, Thailand.
For Queensberry, it’s a way to set up a fight between two of their top heavyweights, Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) and Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs). Putting this fight together is an easier one for them since they won’t be dealing with another promoter. It would be an internal job.
Will Usyk vacate again?
Queensberry promotes both of them, and a clash would put the winner in a position to face Usyk or be elevated to full champion status if he chooses to vacate to avoid them.
Oleksandr had already done so with his WBO belt when the sanctioning body ordered him to defend against mandatory Fabio Wardley. Giving up the WBC belt for the Itauma vs. Knocking out Okolie winner may not matter to the 38-year-old Usyk, who is nearing retirement and focused on just the bigger fights.
Meanwhile, Okolie will fight in Nigeria this month against an opponent yet to be determined on December 19, 2025. He is not expected to face a serious threat.
Itauma’s Franklin Warm-up
Itauma will be a heavy favorite in his 10-round bout against veteran Jermaine Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) on January 24, 2026, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England. The fight will be shown on DAZN. It’s a lateral move for Itauma from his last mismatch against aging master of ceremonies Dillian Whyte. The 32-year-old Franklin is younger than Whyte and will at least try to fight.
Last updated on 12/03/2025
