Overview
- After ordering Kubrat Pulev to defend his WBA 'regular' heavyweight title against No. 1 contender Moses Itauma, the WBA gave the sides 30 days to negotiate before a November 14 purse-bid deadline.
- Pulev has officially announced a voluntary defense against Murat Gassiev on December 12 in Dubai, with his promoters citing an August 20 settlement they say permits a voluntary first defense.
- Queensberry Promotions says it has accepted the WBA mandate for Itauma and expects negotiations to proceed under WBA rules, indicating it will push to enforce the title shot.
- Pulev’s team has offered Itauma an undercard slot in Dubai, but Itauma is still targeting a December 13 return in Manchester where his opponent remains unconfirmed.
- Zhilei Zhang says he would sign to fight Itauma and has accepted terms in principle to face Derek Chisora on the same Manchester date, pending Chisora’s confirmation.