Following a recent order from the WBA that their secondary heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev must defend the oft-derided belt against Moses Itauma, the young British contender will now likely next fight on February 7 – and not December 13 when Derek Chisora is set for his final outing.
During an eventful 24-hour period last week, the WBA ordered that Itauma was next for Pulev, only for an announcement from the IBA – who are affiliated with the WBA – to follow that the veteran would instead defend against Murat Gassiev on December 12 in Dubai.
“That fight [Pulev-Gassiev] has not been ordered by the WBA,” a source close to the situation told BoxingScene. “If Pulev does fight Gassiev, then the WBA should strip him.”
The sanctioning body had permitted Pulev to make a voluntary defense after he claimed the title from Mahmoud Charr last December but, due to the Bulgarian veteran’s failure to organise such a contest within a reasonable period, the WBA opted to enforce the fight with Itauma, their No. 1 contender. In the initial order, the WBA stated that the teams of Pulev and Itauma had until November 14 to strike a deal before it was put out to purse bids.
The situation with the WBA secondary title – known as the ‘regular’ strap but officially named the ‘world’ title – has been chaotic since the inception of the WBA ‘super’ title in 2011, with the likes of Charr, Lucas Browne and Trevor Bryan among former holders.
Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), last fought in August when he knocked out Dillian Whyte, an opponent now in the running to face Chisora on December 13, in the opening round.
