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Briton Moses Itauma has been ordered by the IBF to hold talks with Cuba’s Frank Sanchez about fighting for the vacant heavyweight title.<\/b><\/p>\n
Last week Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his IBF, WBA ‘super’ and WBC belts.<\/p>\n
The IBF said that, “in accordance with IBF championship rules”, it wants Sanchez, who is number one in their heavyweight rankings, to fight number three contender Itauma.<\/p>\n
It said they have until 29 July to reach an agreement.<\/p>\n
Itauma, 21, is scheduled to fight Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic<\/a> at London’s O2 Arena on 29 August in what he has called his “toughest fight”. <\/p>\n He could pull out of the Hrgovic fight or agree to fight Sanchez after that bout.<\/p>\n BBC Sport has contacted Itauma’s promoter Queensberry for comment.<\/p>\n Itauma claimed an impressive fifth-round stoppage<\/a> over Jermaine Franklin in Manchester in March.<\/p>\n Although the IBF wants to arrange a bout for the vacant title, the WBC upgraded interim champion Agit Kabayel to champion after Usyk gave up its belt.<\/p>\n Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk, who was required to fight German Kabayel after he was granted an exemption to fight Rico Verhoeven<\/a> in May, is now free to fight any opponent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n