England-based Nigerian-born boxer, Lawrence Okolie has been ordered to take up a compulsory world title elimination fight early next year, Sports247 reports.
While Okolie is in the final stages of his plan for a fight this month in Nigeria, he will now have to start thinking of another bout at the start of 2026.
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A strong prospect has already emerged about his likely opponent, with fellow-Brit, Moses Itauma also named in the compulsory eliminations ordered by World Boxing Council (WBC).
Consequently, reports out of England indicate that Okolie is looking into the possibility of facing Itauma in a bout that would take the winner into a future world title shot.
Okolie, a cruiserweight world champion and in the new bridgerweight class, is number one in the WBC’s heavyweight rankings, while Itauma is their number four.
The Nigerian-born Okolie’s trainer, Joe Gallagher told Sky Sports: “I petitioned for him to be made mandatory (challenger).
“AJ ranked No 3 and Dubois No 2 weren’t available to fight at the moment so they made Lawrence and Moses as a final eliminator, which was a surprise.”
