Moses Itauma made to wait for WBA title shot as Kubrat Pulev vs Murat Gassiev confirmed for Dubai

Moses Itauma's shot at Kubrat Pulev's WBA 'regular' heavyweight title has been put on hold after Epic Sports & Entertainment confirmed Pulev will instead defend his belt against Murat Gassiev in Dubai on December 12.

The decision resets the immediate heavyweight landscape after the WBA had previously ordered Pulev to face Itauma, with a 30 day negotiation window triggered following Itauma's first-round stoppage of Dillian Whyte in August. That directive came after Pulev failed to finalise a defence against Michael Hunter.

Itauma, ranked No 1 with the WBA, had been preparing for a swift world title push in just his 14th professional bout - an unusually rapid ascent for a 20-year-old with only a year of top-level experience. 

However, Ivaylo Gotzev, CEO of Epic Sports, has confirmed a separate route. Pulev will defend his belt against Gassiev at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, with Itauma offered only an undercard slot rather than the title shot he had been targeting.

The announcement comes amid a complex situation within the heavyweight title picture. Oleksandr Usyk remains the undisputed champion and holder of the WBA 'super' title, while Pulev claimed the organisation's secondary strap with a points win over Mahmoud Charr last year. 

Pulev's last appearance at full world title level resulted in a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in 2020, but the 44-year-old has since rebuilt with three consecutive victories. 

Itauma, who had also been linked to an IBF eliminator against Frank Sanchez – a fight that would have positioned him as a future mandatory for Usyk – turned his attention to the WBA path after his dramatic win over Whyte.

Queensberry Promotions had been pushing to strike a deal quickly, but with Pulev-Gassiev now officially confirmed, Itauma may have to wait until 2026 for a potential title opportunity.

Gassiev, a former unified cruiserweight champion, brings a 78 per cent knockout rate and has campaigned at heavyweight since 2019. A victory over Pulev would crown him Russia's first heavyweight world champion since Alexander Povetkin, a narrative that IBA officials have already begun to build around the event. 

IBA Pro chief Al Siesta, in a pointed challenge to Itauma, said: 'We hope he accepts our offer to fight on the undercard, so he can witness, up close, Murat becoming Russia's first heavyweight champion since 2013, then Itauma is next.' 

However, as it stands, Itauma is set to headline the Queensberry show in Manchester on December 13. Although, an opponent for the bout is yet to be confirmed.