Ituma Rejects IBF Final Elimination Duel To Secure Opportunities Against Usyk

JAKARTA Moses Ituma rejects the IBF final elimination fight against Frank Sanchez who will lead him to the world title race against Oleksandr Usyk.

Ituma, 20 years old, who has yet to lose was next to take the fight to win against Usyk after Efe Ajagba refused to fight Sanchez.

However, Sky Sport reports that Ituma, who is also the first-ranked challenger WBO, has decided to take a different path for the world title.

Ituma has just extended its unbeaten record to 13 fights against Dillian Whyte in August 2025.

The IBF in a statement last week confirmed that Ituma had considered a duel against Sanchez before the latest report said he rejected the clash.

"We are waiting for news on the availability of Moses Ituma. If he confirms his availability then he and Frank Sanchez will be ordered to negotiate. They will have 15 days from the issuance of the order," the statement read.

Ituma's decision to reject the duel with Sanchez made the American boxer, Richard Torrez Jr, who was ranked just behind Ituma, begin to be offered a fight against Sanchez.

The winner of the clashes will then become a mandatory challenger for the IBF belt held by Usyk, who underwent the final duel in July 2025 when he won over Daniel Dubois to become the second undisputed heavyweight world champion.

Usyk was initially ordered to defend his WBO title against Joseph Parker. However, Usyk was given an extension of negotiations for the fight because he was still injured.

Therefore, Parker decided to face British boxer Fabio Wardley, at The O2 Arena, London, England, on October 25, 2025. The winner of this duel will enter the ring against Usyk.

Sergey Lapin as CEO of Ready to Fight, promoted company Usyk, said in a statement that Usyk is currently recovering and is preparing to return.

"Currently, our team is considering new opportunities and interesting locations to stage another fight for the undisputed world title," he said.