Promoter Frank Warren has stated that Kubrat Pulev is required to defend his WBA ‘Regular’ title against the rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma. Although Pulev is scheduled to face Russian boxer Murat Gassiev on December 12, he is officially mandated to fight the 20-year-old Itauma first.
Kubrat Pulev’s Title Defense Situation
The World Boxing Association (WBA) ordered the bout between Pulev and Itauma, granting both parties 30 days to negotiate terms. Warren, who advocates for Itauma, expressed the urgency for this matchup earlier this week. However, in a recent development, Pulev’s promoter, Ivaylo Gotzev, announced that the WBA has allowed a voluntary title defense instead of the mandatory fight with Itauma.
Details on the Voluntary Defense
Gotzev, the CEO of Epic Sports and Entertainment, claimed that the WBA issued a resolution on October 14, approving Pulev’s choice to face Gassiev. “Despite recent speculation, we have official confirmation from the WBA that Kubrat Pulev’s first title defense can be voluntary,” Gotzev stated. He emphasized that they have finalized the fight with Gassiev.
Moses Itauma’s Next Steps
Initially, Gotzev mentioned that Itauma had been offered a spot on the undercard of the Pulev-Gassiev event. However, subsequent statements from Gotzev omitted direct references to Itauma. Frank Warren reiterated the need for Pulev to prioritize the fight against Itauma before moving on to other opponents.
- Pulev’s Next Fight: Scheduled against Murat Gassiev on December 12.
- Itauma’s Status: Mandatory opponent for Pulev as per WBA directives.
- Promoters: Frank Warren (Itauma) and Ivaylo Gotzev (Pulev).
- WBA Resolution Date: October 14.
As the situation stands, the boxing community awaits clarification from the WBA regarding Pulev’s obligations. The implications for Moses Itauma’s future remain to be seen, especially with Pulev eyeing a potential fight against Gassiev.
