Promoter Frank Warren says Kubrat Pulev should defend his WBA ‘common’ title towards British heavyweight Moses Itauma subsequent.
Bulgarian Pulev has introduced plans to combat Russian Murat Gassiev on 12 December, regardless of being ordered to face 20-year-old Itauma.
Queensberry’s Warren, who promotes Itauma, stated earlier this week that his workforce had been “pursuing” a combat with Pulev.
That was after the WBA ordered the match-up and gave either side 30 days to barter a deal.
However 44-year-old Pulev’s promoter Ivaylo Gotzev, who’s the CEO of Epic Sports activities and Leisure, stated on Thursday that the WBA has agreed to let the veteran make a voluntary defence, quite than the obligatory Itauma combat.
Gotzev stated: “Regardless of current noise, we’ve got an official WBA decision authorising Kubrat Pulev’s first title defence to be a voluntary, and in step with that, we have locked in a terrific opponent in Murat Gassiev.”
In an earlier assertion issued to media, Gotzev had claimed the Pulev-Gassiev combat was “signed and sealed” and that Itauma would have “to attend his flip”. It additionally stated Itauma had been supplied a spot on the Pulev-Gassiev undercard.
An up to date assertion, nonetheless, eliminated direct point out of Itauma by identify.
BBC Sport has seen a WBA discover from 14 October that orders Pulev to tackle Itauma as his subsequent opponent.
Talking to BBC Sport on Thursday, Warren stated: “Pulev has to combat Moses subsequent.”
The WBA has been contacted for readability.
