British-Nigerian heavyweight Lawrence Okolie has set his sights on a blockbuster all-Nigerian showdown with rising star Moses Itauma in 2026. This follows his dominant victory on Nigerian soil this past Sunday night in Lagos.
Routine Stoppage in Lagos Sets the Stage
Fighting in Nigeria for the first time in his career, Okolie made short work of Ghana's Ebenezer Tetteh at the event. From the opening bell, 'The Sauce' was in complete control, overwhelming his overmatched opponent.
The fight's trajectory was set early. A stiff right hand in the first round badly hurt Tetteh, leaving his legs unsteady. Okolie capitalised fully in the second round, flooring Tetteh with a powerful two-punch combination. A battered and depleted Tetteh retired on his stool before the third round could begin, handing Okolie a routine stoppage win.
Post-Fight Callout: A Dream Nigerian Duel
Speaking to DAZN in the ring after his victory, Okolie immediately shifted focus to the future. He confirmed his desire to face the undefeated Moses Itauma next, a fight mandated by the WBC as a final eliminator.
"We're looking forward to the future," Okolie stated. "I'm wishing Moses Itauma luck in his fight against Jermaine Franklin, and then after that, we've been mandated to box for the final eliminator for the world title." He enthusiastically added, "Two Nigerians getting it on. It's going to be amazing."
When questioned about a potential venue, Okolie expressed a strong preference for hosting the historic fight in Nigeria. "I mean, yeah, that's what we want. We are already in discussions, obviously, Moses needs to finish his fight well, and then it's there," he revealed.
Pathway to a World Title and Potential Hurdles
The stakes for the proposed Okolie-Itauma clash are monumental. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title, currently held by Oleksandr Usyk. This sets the stage for a Nigerian fighter to challenge for the sport's ultimate prize.
However, the fight is not yet a certainty. Itauma, who is promoted by Queensberry like Okolie, has previously turned down an IBF final eliminator to protect his top rankings with the WBO and WBA. His immediate focus is a bout against Jermaine Franklin on January 24th in Manchester.
Should he bypass the Okolie fight, Itauma's alternative route could be a clash with newly crowned WBA 'regular' champion Murat Gassiev. For now, all eyes are on early 2026, with the potential for a landmark event in Nigerian boxing history if the two powerful heavyweights agree to meet.
