One of boxing’s four sanctioning bodies
British heavyweight Moses Itauma will headline London’s O2 Arena on Aug. 29 in a fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belts. Itauma could become the youngest world heavyweight champion if he defeats Filip Hrgovic. Several other top boxers and the broader heavyweight landscape are shaped by this update.
Usyk has vacated the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight belts to allow contenders to fight for them, a move that opens the division and sets the stage for new champions. Kabayel has become WBC champion, while Gassiev is poised to inherit the WBA title; IBF actions point toward Frank Sanchez or Moses Itauma as next contenders. The sport faces a reshuffle as Usyk pivots toward a final, high-stakes bout.
Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia have formalised a September 12 title clash in Las Vegas, promoted by Zuffa Boxing. Both boxers carry past doping and controversy but remain two of the sport’s biggest stars, driving a high-stakes, high-profile bout ahead of Mexican Independence Weekend.
Hannah Rapp, 26, was struck by a reversing car while riding with a cyclist in Brazos County, Texas. She has died at a local hospital. A 31-year-old man, Charles Medina, has been arrested on a manslaughter charge as investigators pursue a full probe.
Hannah Rapp, 26, a rising featherweight boxer, has died after being struck by a car in Brazos County, Texas. Charles Medina, 31, has been arrested on manslaughter charges. Authorities say Medina allegedly overtook the cyclists, reversed, and struck Rapp. Rapp had recently challenged for the WBC title and had relocated to Texas.
Raven Chapman has undergone emergency brain surgery after collapsing during a training session in Denmark. She has been taken off sedatives and awaits medically supervised repatriation to a UK hospital for rehabilitation; a GoFundMe has been established to support her recovery.