WBA orders Pulev-Itauma fight as Pulev defends Dubai against Gassiev

The World Boxing Association has ordered negotiations for a mandatory fight between WBA Regular heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev and No. 1 contender Moses Itauma, but Pulev has instead confirmed a voluntary defence against Murat Gassiev on December 12 in Dubai, leaving the 20 year old Brit uncertain about his planned December 13 return in Manchester. The WBA gave the two camps a 30 day window to reach terms for Pulev versus Itauma; if no agreement is reached the fight may be submitted to purse bids under the sanctioning body's rules.

Epic Sports, which is promoting Pulev, said a contract is in place for the Pulev–Gassiev main event at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Pulev, a veteran of world-level fights, issued a statement saying he was "ready, focused, and eager to give fans a great fight." Promoter Ivaylo Gotzev described the matchup as a high-profile international spectacle and said the camp had secured permission from the WBA for a voluntary defence.

The governing body's order requiring Pulev to engage with Itauma followed a complicated earlier sequence involving a proposed Pulev fight with Michael Hunter. That matchup did not materialise after legal and scheduling...