Moses Itauma has been ordered by the WBA to face Kubrat Pulev for the ‘regular’ heavyweight world title.
Itauma has faced a conundrum over his next opponent ever since announcing he would return on December 13 alongside Derek Chisora.
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Itauma now has the opportunity to challenge for a WBA ‘regular’ title which will put him in line for a shot at Usyk in 2026Credit: Getty
A whole host of heavyweight top brass have rejected the fight including Filip Hrgovic and Jermaine Franklin.
Itauma even himself chose not to pursue the IBF ranking route, and rejected a world title eliminator against Frank Sanchez.
But now he has been offered a new route to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The WBA have now ordered Itauma to face WBA regular champion Pulev, who currently holds the belt, with the official documentation obtained by esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael.
Michael Hunter has dropped out of the eliminator and as a result, Itauma has been thrust into the huge shot.
Both parties now have 30 days to trash out a deal, or the showdown will be brought to purse bids [where promoters can bid to stage the fight].
The 30 days begins as of today, and a deadline of November 14 has been set by the governing body.
As a result, Itauma’s return could now be delayed until January, in a bid to give both fighters enough time to reach an agreement and also adequate preparation for the clash.
Who is Kubrat Pulev?
Pulev is a seasoned heavyweight veteran who is in a rich vein of form, despite being beyond the twilight years of his professional career.
He is currently at his peak ranking, having never held a full world title in the past.
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Pulev has been around the block and has fought the likes of Joshua and KlitshckoCredit: Dave Thompson/Matchroom
But the Bulgarian has challenged for world titles on two occasions in the past, first in a brutal stoppage defeat to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.
His second shot saw him also savagely stopped by Joshua in December 2020.
Pulev’s last defeat came in a 2022 defeat to Derek Chisora, but he is currently on a three-fight winning streak which has fast tracked his way to the top.
Although he will be a huge underdog against the young rising star, who seems destined for the top.
What will victory mean for Moses Itauma?
Itauma could firmly launch himself into the mix for an immediate world title shot if the fight is made and he beats Pulev.
The 20-year-old has earned his credentials with every punch, and his career-best first round KO victory over Dillian Whyte in August has put the division on alert.
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Most believe Itauma is ready to fight Usyk now, and victory over Pulev will prove that furtherCredit: Getty
Should he win the ‘world title’, it will see him in mandatory position with the WBA for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk.
But the winner of Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley is currently first in line, with Usyk having been ordered to face Parker before suffering an injury.
Should the Ukrainian choose to vacate his IBF title, a fight with Itauma could certainly be feasible.
But it is unclear what is next, with the IBF next in the sanctioning body rotation, and Usyk yet to clarify his next move.