British heavyweight Moses Itauma has been told he must “wait his turn” after Kubrat Pulev agreed to defend his WBA ‘regular’ title against Murat Gassiev in Dubai on 12 December.
Pulev, 44, was ordered to defend his secondary WBA belt against 20-year-old Itauma but has agreed to face former cruiserweight world champion Gassiev instead.
Queensberry’s Frank Warren, who promotes Itauma, said earlier this week that his team were “pursuing” a fight with the Bulgarian.
But Pulev’s promoter Ivaylo Gotzev, who is the CEO of Epic Sports and Entertainment, said the WBA has agreed to let the veteran make a voluntary defence.
“The Pulev vs Gassiev fight is signed, sealed, and confirmed – so [Moses] Itauma will have to wait his turn,” said Gotzev.
“We have an official WBA resolution authorising Kubrat Pulev’s first title defence to be a voluntary, and in line with that, we’ve locked in a terrific opponent in Murat Gassiev.”