Safer Path To Usyk Title

Moses Itauma has turned down a fight against Frank Sanchez for an IBF heavyweight final eliminator to become the mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Dangerous Cuban a Risk Too Soon

That would have been a tough fight for the 20-year-old Itauma, facing the Cuban Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs), who likely wouldn’t fold quickly before landing some massive bombs of his own.

Torrez Jr. Fast-Tracked to Title Shot

Sky Sports Boxing reports that 2020 Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (13-0, 11 KOs) has been offered the fight against Sanchez for the IBF title eliminator. That would be a shortcut for the 26-year-old Torrez Jr. to earn a title shot after three years in the pro ranks.

Torrez Jr. is a big puncher as well, in the same mold as Itauma, but more willing to stand and fight. Itauma is more of a potshot type of guy, who retreats when attacked. He doesn’t enjoy standing in the pocket to exchange with his opponents, especially when they have a little pop in their punches.

The Queensberry-promoted Itauma hasn’t faced punchers like Sanchez in his short two-year pro career, nor in his abbreviated amateur career. This would have been Itauma’s first outing against a slugger. So, it’s understandable why he chose not to face Sanchez. That would have been baptism by fire, and he may have failed.

Itauma Chooses Easier WBA, WBO Routes

Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) will focus on a different direction. He’s ranked #1 WBA and #1 WBO following his first-round knockout win over veteran Dillian Whyte on August 16, 2025. Those are much easier paths for Itauma than going up against Sanchez, as there’s virtually no resistance for him.

Sanchez Still a Threat When Healthy

The WBA #2-ranked contender is Michael Hunter, who isn’t a big puncher. With the WBO, the #2 contender is Filip Hrgovic. That would be a tough fight for Itauma, but arguably not as risky as going up against a lightning-fast and powerful Sanchez. When the Cuban fighter has two healthy legs, he’s dangerous.

In Sanchez’s seventh-round knockout loss to Agit Kabayel on May 18, 2024, he had a pre-existing right knee injury and was wearing a knee brace during the fight.

Since 2015, Olly Campbell has brought readers a clear ringside perspective and a steady voice on boxing’s biggest nights.