WBA orders Moses Itauma to fight Pulev for heavyweight title

Moses Itauma has been handed a golden opportunity to fight for his first world title after the World Boxing Association (WBA) ordered him to challenge Kubrat Pulev for the WBA (Regular) heavyweight championship, DAZN reports.

The 19-year-old prodigy, widely tipped as one of boxing’s brightest prospects, has struggled to secure an opponent for his scheduled December 13 return, where he will share the card with veteran Derek Chisora.

Read Also: Moses Itauma reveals plans for heavyweight fight in Nigeria

Itauma was previously linked with Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic, who outpointed David Adeleye on the same night Itauma demolished Dillian Whyte in less than a round back in August.

However, promoter Frank Warren later confirmed that Hrgovic had priced himself out of the bout, forcing Itauma’s camp to explore other opponents, including Michael Hunter and Adeleye.

Now, the WBA has stepped in, ordering Pulev to make a mandatory defence of his title against Itauma, who currently holds the No.1 ranking in the WBA heavyweight division.

The sanctioning body has given both camps 30 days to reach an agreement, with a purse bid scheduled for November 14 if no deal is finalised.

“The Committee requires Pulev to engage in a mandatory title defence against the next leading available contender and WBA #1 ranked contender, Moses Itauma.”

Pulev, 44, captured the WBA (Regular) belt in December last year after defeating Mahmoud Charr.

The Bulgarian veteran, who has shared the ring with former world champions Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua, was initially set to defend the title against Michael Hunter, but the fight fell through after Hunter signed to face Jarrell Miller instead.