The two parties have until July 29 to reach a deal. The path to Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) versus Sanchez (26-1, 19 KOs) actually happening next is anything but clear, however.

Itauma already has a fight scheduled for August 29, when he is set to face Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic at O2 Arena in London. Itauma’s handlers could pivot toward a title fight versus Sanchez, but it would likely require a sizeable step-aside fee for Hrgovic and a contractual guarantee for Hrgovic to challenge the Sanchez-Itauma winner next.

If representatives for Sanchez and Itauma can’t reach an agreement, the IBF would allow Sanchez to fight the next available leading contender for its title.

Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF title along with the WBA and WBC belts Friday.

The 33-year-old Sanchez, of Guantanamo, Cuba, became the IBF’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight with a devastating second-round knockout of Richard Torrez (14-1, 12 KOs) in a title eliminator on May 23 at The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Itauma, 21, is the IBF’s No. 3-ranked heavyweight, while Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) is No. 4. Hrgovic, 34, is ranked No. 5 in The Ring’s top 10, one spot in front of Itauma.

Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) is No. 5 in the IBF rankings, but he is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) on July 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and is expected to finally fight British rival Tyson Fury in late 2026.

Bakhodir Jalolov (17-0, 15 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Uzbekistan, is the IBF’s No. 6-ranked heavyweight. The 6-foot-7 southpaw has yet to be scheduled for a 12-round fight in his career or face someone close to the world title picture as a pro.

Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) and former heavyweight world champions Fabio Wardley and Deontay Wilder make up the next three spots, respectively. Wardley (20-1-1, 19 KOs) has a rematch clause to face WBO champion Daniel Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) after Dubois stopped him in the 11th round of their May 9 bout, while Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) is on the short list of opponents for Usyk’s next and potentially final fight.

Former cruiserweight world title challenger and current British heavyweight champion Richard Riakporhe (20-1, 16 KOs) is No. 10 and Torrez sits at No. 11. Guido Vianello (14-3-1, 12 KOs) is No. 12 and Justis Huni (13-1, 7 KOs) is No. 13.

Efe Ajagba (21-1-1, 15 KOs) is rated No. 14 and Brandon Moore (19-1, 10 KOs) rounds out the IBF’s heavyweight rankings at No. 15.

Sanchez already beat Ajagba by unanimous decision in October 2021. The No. 2 spot in the IBF’s rankings is vacant.