Moses Itauma ordered for mandatory challenger bout with British rival amid interim title chaos

Moses Itauma and Lawrence Okolie have been ordered to meet for a WBC final eliminator for mandatory challenger status as the heavyweight division takes shape for 2026.

The pair, ranked fourth and first with the governing body respectively, have been earmarked to meet next year for a shot at a bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

Such a move however has raised major questions over the position and place of several other contenders, namely WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel.

Both Itauma and Okolie already have fights in the diary over the next two months, with the latter set to fight in Nigeria on December 19, live on DAZN.

The former meanwhile is expected to face Jermaine Franklin on January 24, with Kabayel due to defend his interim strap against Damian Knyba on January 10.

The order, made by WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán, further shakes up a division that saw two-time undisputed champion Usyk relinquish his crown last month.

Having been expected to face Fabio Wardley in a WBO mandatory defence, the Ukrainian vacated the title to the Briton instead, and now seeks a bout with Deontay Wilder.

Such a move would open the door to a challenge against the winner by either Itauma or Okolie if both men come through their next fights and then agree to a bout.

However, Kabayel is unlikely to accept being leapfrogged in the pecking order after claiming the interim belt against Zhilei Zhang back in February this year.

WBC order creates chaos in hierarchy of power

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

You never get a quiet day in boxing - and with the WBC in session in Bangkok, there was always going to be some fireworks that emerged from its annual convention.

The news that the governing body wants top-ranked Lawrence Okolie to battle Moses Itauma for a mandatory slot is likely to frustrate most parties involved in the mix.

Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

For Okolie and his team, their request to be assigned as default first-choice challenger was rejected, with a lower-spot rival now in their path rather than the interim belt.

For Itauma, who leads the WBA and WBO rankings, it places another opponent in the way and potentially stalls a shot at the former's junior belt held by Kubrat Pulev.

And for Agit Kabayel, it calls into question the validity of his interim crown, basically allowing two other fighters to be fast-tracked in pursuit of an Oleksandr Usyk bout.

Whatever the outcome, you can expect plenty of frantic dealmaking as all parties try to find a compromise - but the WBC, once more, has left chaos in the hierarchy of power.

Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV's included in your subscription 

Subscribe to DAZN's new Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including The Ring V and Lopez vs. Stevenson, on top of another 185 fight nights. Plus Serie A football, watch on multiple devices, and many more extra benefits.

Sign up for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here.