IBF orders Sanchez vs Itauma, but Jalolov fight more likely

The IBF has ordered negotiations between Frank Sanchez and Moses Itauma for the vacant heavyweight title, but Bakhodir Jalolov remains the most probable opponent for Sanchez when the sanctioning body's process plays out.

According to Bad Left Hook, the directive follows Oleksandr Usyk's decision to vacate his WBC, WBA, and IBF straps. Sanchez, ranked No. 1 by the IBF after stopping Richard Torrez Jr in an eliminator in May, now sits as the organization's top contender. Itauma holds the No. 3 spot, though his August 29 clash with Filip Hrgovic in London means he is unlikely to accept the order.

How the IBF heavyweight picture shakes out

Once Itauma officially declines, the IBF will move down its rankings. Hrgovic is at No. 4 but already committed. Anthony Joshua, ranked No. 5, faces Kristian Prenga on July 25 and is targeting a mega-fight with Tyson Fury. That leaves Jalolov at No. 6 as the next available contender.

The 31-year-old Uzbek won gold at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics but has posted a thin professional résumé. His 17-0 record lists no meaningful names, and some observers believe his skills have stagnated against low-level opposition in Kazakhstan, Russia, and the UK. "They say iron sharpens iron, but Jalolov has been trying to sharpen iron on rubber," Bad Left Hook wrote.

Jalolov has fought just three times since the 2024 Olympics, none against genuine contenders. Whether he accepts a title shot remains unclear given the limited ambition his pro career has shown. The Sanchez-Jalolov pairing could land by mid-summer if the dominoes fall as expected.

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• Bad Left Hook — IBF orders Frank Sanchez vs Moses Itauma negotiations, but Bakhodir Jalolov still most likely