WBO Allows the Possibility of Wardley vs. Itauma

ESPN journalist and insider Salvador Rodriguez, citing WBO president Gustavo Olivieri, reports that the next opponent for interim WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley, 30, could be his 20-year-old compatriot Moses Itauma.

This scenario becomes possible if Wardley does not go directly into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The WBO must first evaluate the medical condition of the unified champion. If Usyk is unable to proceed with a mandatory defense, the Organization may order a bout between Wardley and Itauma for the interim title.

In his most recent fight, Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) knocked out Joseph Parker in the 11th round.

Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) is currently the mandatory challenger for the WBA Regular heavyweight title — the Association has already sanctioned his fight against Kubrat Pulev.