WBO President Gustavo Olivieri has moved to clear up confusion surrounding the standing of heavyweight Moses Itauma.
After praising Itauma on Saturday, following the big-hitting Brits’ demolition of Mike Balogun, some thought the 20-year-old was subsequent in line to problem Oleksandr Usyk.
Olivieri stated, “Moses Itauma has climbed the WBO rankings with expertise, self-discipline, and electrifying performances. Now the primary world-rated heavyweight contender, his second is approaching.
“It’s solely a matter of time earlier than he will get his shot & the world sees a brand new star emerge.”
Requested if which means Itauma overtakes the interim champion Joseph Parker within the pecking order, Olivieri responded, “Not essentially. Now, to turn out to be necessary, a fighter should face rated opposition.
“In Itauma’s case, final month he occupied the #2 spot & having #1 Justis Huni dedicated to combat an interim WBA title, he’s excluded and Itauma strikes by default to the primary spot.”
For the document: Whereas Moses Itauma holds the WBO’s #1 world rating within the Heavyweight Division, this alone does NOT confer Necessary standing. That designation requires defeating top-rated contender(s). Joe Parker stays the official Necessary & retains precedence, per WBO Guidelines.
— Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) Could 25, 2025
A small spell of additional debate urged Olivieri to make a full clarification on Itauma’s present standing.
“For the document, whereas Moses Itauma holds the WBO’s primary world rating within the heavyweight division, this alone doesn’t confer Necessary standing.
“That designation requires defeating top-rated contender(s). Joe Parker stays the official necessary challenger and retains precedence, per WBO Guidelines.”
On why the scheduled subsequent opponent for Usyk, Agit Kabayel, shouldn’t be rated, Olivieri concluded, “Kabayel holds an interim title from one other group. Subsequently, he’s a acknowledged champion and never rated.”
Itauma might be not less than eighteen months away from difficult for the highest division crown at this level. There will probably be a debate to comply with Usyk’s combat with Daniel Dubois on July 19 at Wembley Stadium.
After taking lower than two rounds to dispatch American Balogun, promoter Frank Warren is lining Itauma up for a spot on the undercard.
Nonetheless, the winner of Usyk vs Dubois will face both Kabayel or Parker, relying on whether or not the WBC or WBO wins the argument.
If Usyk retains and decides to relinquish some belts, Itauma might get his likelihood towards Parker. The chances are high that Usyk will proceed for an additional 12 months and provides Parker his alternative for the world title subsequent, undisputed or not.
The combat might occur within the typical pre-Christmas slot in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with all the world championships undecided to be on the road.
Offered Itauma can proceed to impress, he ought to be capable of combat for the WBO heavyweight title by the top of 2026 on the newest.
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Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay and study extra concerning the writer. Phil has been an skilled boxing author and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010.
