Moses Itauma’s hopes of landing a shot at the WBA secondary heavyweight title have been put on hold, with reigning champion Kubrat Pulev now confirmed to defend his belt in December.
The Bulgarian veteran, 44, will face former cruiserweight ruler Murat Gassiev on December 12, 2025, in Dubai, leaving teenage prodigy Itauma without an immediate route to world honors.
When asked about Itauma, Epic Sports representative John Wirt told WBN, “We already have a contract to fight Gassiev on December 12 in Dubai.”
The timing is a crushing blow to Itauma, who is scheduled to return in Manchester just a day later, which could have worked had Pulev not negotiated with Gassiev.
The development means Itauma, still just 20, will have to wait until at least March next year for his first title opportunity. However, the talented heavyweight remains within striking distance of a historic record — he can still surpass Floyd Patterson’s second-place benchmark if he becomes champion before October 2026.
Itauma would also need the recognition of the fans and media due to ongoing complications with WBA regular champion eligibility.
WBA Orders Pulev vs. Itauma
The World Boxing Association (WBA), through its Championships Committee, has officially ordered a mandatory heavyweight title bout between champion Kubrat Pulev and No. 1 contender Moses Itauma.
WBA chiefs sent the formal communication to both camps on Tuesday, October 14, granting them a 30-day negotiation period, which concludes on November 14.
The decision follows a procedural sequence involving the previous award of promotional rights for a Pulev vs. Michael Hunter bout, initially granted to Don King Productions on May 27, 2025. Pulev filed a Request for Reconsideration, which was denied on June 23, and later submitted an appeal on June 30 that was dismissed on July 23 for exceeding the regulatory deadline.
Subsequently, Pulev elevated the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on August 1. During the CAS process, Hunter informed the WBA that he had reached an agreement to face Jarrell Miller in September, making him unavailable for the mandated fight.
On August 19, 2025, the WBA and Pulev’s representatives reached an amicable settlement, which led to the closing of the CAS proceedings on August 22. As part of that settlement, the WBA released Pulev from his prior obligation to face Hunter and allowed a voluntary defense against any available contender. However, with no voluntary defense arranged or announced, the WBA has now issued a new mandatory ruling requiring Pulev to face Itauma.
If no agreement is reached by the November 14 deadline, the Championships Committee reserves the right to call a purse bid under its established regulations.
Pulev vs. Gassiev Confirmed
Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) captured the WBA title in March 2024 with a unanimous decision victory over Mahmoud Charr in Sofia. The experienced campaigner, who has shared the ring with Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua, enters the bout on a three-fight winning streak and remains one of the sport’s most technically sound heavyweights.
Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs), meanwhile, brings proven power and pedigree as a former unified cruiserweight champion. Since moving up in weight, the 32-year-old Russian has compiled a string of knockouts, most recently stopping Jeremiah Milton in August.
Their clash in Dubai promises a classic boxer-versus-puncher showdown, with the winner expected to position themselves for significant opportunities in 2026 against leading names such as Anthony Joshua, Joseph Parker, or even Tyson Fury should the former champion resume his career.
Historic Ambition
For Itauma, patience may prove pivotal. The unbeaten British heavyweight remains one of the brightest prospects in world boxing and continues to chase history as one of the youngest fighters ever to claim a version of the heavyweight crown. If Pulev’s situation remains unresolved, or the title becomes vacant, Itauma could yet find himself in the mix for a world championship fight before his 21st birthday — a milestone that would keep his pursuit of history alive.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
