Latest news with #GustavoOlivieri
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WBO President Announces The Two Contenders To Fight For Vacant WBO Lightweight Title
WBO President Announces The Two Contenders To Fight For Vacant WBO Lightweight Title originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After Keyshawn Davis missed weight by 4.3 pounds, the boxer was stripped of his WBO title. Advertisement He was supposed to defend against Edwin de Los Santos at his hometown in Norfolk, Virginia's Scope Arena. Due to this development, the lightweight title became vacant, and therefore, the WBO had to choose suitable opponents to occupy that space. This left the WBO with no other choice but to officially order a contest between Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason to occupy the vacant lightweight title. Gustavo Olivieri, president of the World Boxing Organization, went on his X account to share the development: 'Re: WBO Lightweight Division WBO Championships Committee has ordered negotiations between #1 Sam Noakes & #2 Abdullah Mason, for the vacant WBO lightweight Title. Advertisement The official negotiation order shall be notified & published shortly. Parties have 20 days to reach an agreement. #WBO,' posted Gustavo Olivieri on his X account. Abdullah Mason (21 years old) has been on a good trajectory as he was recently posted on the list of young and hungry fighters that Turki Alalshikh would like to feature on the Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford undercard to make the show that will be aired on Netflix a night filled with good young prospects. Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is no stranger to praise from the WBO president, as he received the same praise in a recent post on the WBO president's X account before this opportunity came knocking. 'Abdullah Mason looks better every time out; sharper, smarter, more dangerous. He's evolving into a serious force... En route to a world #WBO world lightweight title,' posted Gustavo Olivieri. Advertisement His opponent, Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), is currently ranked at No. 9 by the Ring, just one place above Abdullah Mason. At 27 years old, he currently holds the British and Commonwealth lightweight title. This title fight would be a good addition to the Canelo-Crawford card set for September 13th in Las Vegas. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Moses Itauma reaches number one in WBO ratings
Moses Itauma is one step closer to a shot at a world title after the British heavyweight was moved up to number one in the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) ratings. Itauma, now 12-0 (10), made quick work of Mike Balogun on the undercard of Taylor-Essuman, sending the American down to the canvas three times before a second-round stoppage. The 20-year-old has risen to number one after Justis Huni was removed from the WBO's ratings. The Australian is set to face Fabio Wardley for the interim WBA heavyweight championship in June. Huni had been first with the WBO with Itauma second, but the absence of the former has seen the latter jump to number one. News of Itauma's new rating was announced by WBO president Gustavo Olivieri prior to the release of the full ranking lists. Taking to Twitter, Olivieri wrote: 'Moses Itauma has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances. Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching. It's only a matter of time before he gets his shot and the world sees a new star emerge.' Olivieri reiterated that Joseph Parker remains the WBO's mandatory challenger for reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk, despite Itauma's new-found number one status. He continued: 'For the record: While Moses Itauma holds the WBO's #1 world ranking in the heavyweight division, this alone does not confer mandatory status. That designation requires defeating top-rated contender(s). Joe Parker remains the official mandatory and retains priority, per WBO rules.' Now clearly in title contention, Itauma's promoter Frank Warren is already eyeing up his next opponents. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Prior to his defeat of Balogun, Itauma had been linked to a fight with Martin Bakole, but both fighter and promoter have since distanced themselves from the former 'boogeyman' of the division. Instead, Warren has suggested that his client could face Swede Otto Wallin or American Jermaine Franklin, 23-2 (15), with both heavyweights representing a step-up for Itauma. Wallin, 34-3 (15), is well known on British shores, having fought – and lost – against Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, and Anthony Joshua. Speaking to BoxNation, Warren shared: 'I think Otto Wallin would be a great fight for him next. Otto's proven himself to be a very durable, tough opponent, who garners respect from the boxing community because of the work he's done against Tyson [Fury] and Anthony [Joshua]. 'For Moses – who wants to get rounds in – that's probably a great shout. Jermaine Franklin's another one that I particularly like the look of.'
