The International Boxing Federation formally ordered Briton Moses Itauma and Cuba’s Frank Sanchez on Tuesday to begin an exhausting, multi-million-dollar administrative stalemate over the heavyweight title recently vacated by Oleksandr Usyk.
Under IBF rules, the two heavyweight camps now have exactly thirty days to confidently announce they are close to a deal before abruptly accusing each other of cowardice on social media. If the fighters’ respective representation cannot agree on a 60-40 purse split by the deadline, the bout will proceed to a highly anticipated purse bid, which will inevitably be won by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and then permanently postponed due to a minor training camp ankle injury.
The sanctioning body noted that while neither fighter has thrown a punch at the other, the preliminary exchanges of highly conditional term sheets have already shown incredible ferocity.
These two warriors are about to step into the boardroom and absolutely batter each other with broadcast-rights addendums, which is exactly the kind of grueling, twelve-round litigation the fans pay to see.
The IBF title was recently stripped from undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk after the Ukrainian repeatedly insisted on stepping into the ring against actual top-tier opponents, a clear violation of the governing body’s strict commitment to endless mandatory delays. Boxing analysts predict the upcoming contract negotiations between Itauma and Sanchez will be a tactical masterclass, with Itauma’s camp expected to utilize a strong early defense of their domestic television rights while Sanchez’s promoters look for a late-round knockout regarding first-class hotel accommodations in Riyadh.
At press time, both fighters were seen vigorously hitting the heavy bag in preparation for an upcoming tune-up bout against an unranked 42-year-old journeyman to stay busy while their lawyers bill eight hundred dollars an hour.