Moses Itauma handed IBF title shot after vacating fight with Frank Sanchez

• IBF has ordered Moses Itauma to face Frank Sanchez for the vacant title
• Negotiations must be completed by 29 July; Itauma’s next fight is scheduled for 29 August against Filipo Hrgović
• Cubailel, the WBC interim champion, has been ordered to step aside for the vacant IBF title fight with Itauma

British boxer Moses Itauma has been ordered to contest for the vacant IBF title against Frank Sanchez.

IBF’s ruling: the organization’s president, Mauricio Sulaiman, said Sanchez, who has already won the title, must face the mandatory challenger, which is Itauma, for the vacant belt.

Under IBF rules, the champion must defend the title by 29 July.

Itauma, who is 21 years old, will fight against Filip Hrgović at London’s O2 Arena on 29 August. The winner is expected to face his opponent for the next “toughest fight” and the winner may also be the one to unify the belts with the other super champions.

Promoter Queensberry said in a statement to BBC Sport.

Earlier, Oleksandr Usyk won the IBF, WBA “super” and WBC belts. The WBC belt had been held by the interim champion Anthony Joshua.

According to Sky Sports, Cubailel will be ready to defend the WBC title against Antonin Doshua, Tyson Fury or Moses Itauma. The winner will then be able to unify the belts with the winner.

Tags: Sport/Basketball