Moses Itauma’s team has been struggling to land an opponent in recent weeks, but the WBA may have just helped out.
It was Itauma’s 13th win and 11th by stoppage since making his debut in 2023. Queensberry Promotions are now tasked with finding an opponent who can help to continue the 20-year-old’s development and perhaps give him some rounds. That is proving difficult, with big names in the division reportedly rejecting the fight offer or asking for too much money, effectively pricing themselves out.
The WBA has now stepped up and ordered it’s Regular Champion, Kubrat Pulev, to defend against number one contender Itauma. The teams have until November 14 to reach an agreement before purse bids are called, however Itauma may sacrifice his position if his team has another route in mind. Pulev would then go down the list and be ordered to face current number two, Michael Hunter, however the American is one of the names linked with Itauma for his December 13 bout.
Pulev is a veteran on the scene, having been in with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora. He won the Regular Belt – a title most feels is a pointless exercise given Oleksandr Usyk is the sanctioning body’s true champion – by beating Mahmoud Charr in December of 2024 and has not competed since. The 44-year-old from Bulgaria has a record of 32 wins and just three defeats.
