A newly-crowned world champion insists he has no interest in swerving any potential rivals, including heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma.
The 21-year-old comes off a destructive fifth-round finish over Jermaine Franklin in March, but now looks to complete what is, on paper, his toughest assignment thus far.
This will arrive in the form of a clash with Filip Hrgovic on August 29, with Itauma bidding to extend his unbeaten record at London’s O2 Arena.
More importantly, Hrgovic should determine whether Itauma is a genuine world-class talent, with the Croatian having previously gone toe-to-toe in competitive encounters against the likes of Daniel Dubois and Zhilei Zhang.
The Dubois fight, in particular, saw Hrgovic prove himself at world level, despite their June 2024 contest ultimately resulting in an eighth-round stoppage defeat.
But while Itauma has agreed to face the 34-year-old in August, there is a chance he abandons this plan and pursues an IBF title fight with Frank Sanchez.
The pair have been ordered to collide following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate his three belts, with the IBF giving both sides until July 29 to agree terms.
But Itauma is nonetheless closing in on a world title shot, regardless of whether he faces Hrgovic or Sanchez, and could eventually find himself in the ring with Agit Kabayel.
Speaking with Ring Magazine, the WBC champion said he would happily face Itauma – and any other competitor, for that matter.
“For me, it’s no problem – I’ll fight everyone. Now, I’m in the best situation. When the No.1 challenger is ready … [I’ll fight him].
“When we fight for [another] belt, maybe the WBA or WBO belt … We’ll make a unification [match].”
Kabayel was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Usyk’s decision to vacate his belts and, in turn, avoid any mandatory duties.
