Kubrat Pulev would eagerly welcome a future showdown with WBA “super” champion Oleksandr Usyk, even as he prepares for his next defense. Pulev currently holds the WBA “regular” heavyweight title, a belt that will be on the line when he faces Murat Gassiev in Dubai on Friday. Usyk, meanwhile, has controlled the WBA “super” belt since his win over Anthony Joshua in 2021.
The situation is a bit tangled by the presence of two WBA titles in the division, which has complicated Usyk’s mandatory defenses. Yet Pulev says he would gladly seize the chance to crown a single WBA champion, should the opportunity arise.
We’re told by Pulev’s promoter, John Wirt, that the focus remains on beating Gassiev, with Pulev in excellent shape and open to taking on Usyk should the chance present itself.
As the Pulev–Gassiev clash looms, emerging talents are waiting in the wings. Britain’s Moses Itauma, coming off a 13-fight unbeaten run, eyes a world title shot and would be the mandatory challenger if Pulev defeats Gassiev. Initially, Itauma was ordered to challenge Pulev for the WBA belt, but Pulev’s camp had already lined up a bout against Gassiev.
The WBA subsequently clarified that the winner of Pulev–Gassiev must face Itauma next, with talks slated to begin on January 25. Itauma is set to defend his own unblemished record a day earlier against American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester, a bout that could shape the next steps in the heavyweight title picture.
Meanwhile, the WBA has not announced a mandatory challenger for the WBA “super” title since Alexander Povetkin’s role as an opponent for Joshua back in 2018, a pairing that culminated in Joshua’s seventh-round victory at Wembley. Usyk’s ongoing involvement in undisputed and unification bouts has often taken priority over these mandatory duties, given his recent activity in top-tier championship matches.
Usyk’s recent silence about potential opponents was broken last week when he stated he would like to face former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The timing of Usyk’s mandatory obligations remains unclear, while Pulev is set to defend his version of the belt for the first time since beating Mahmoud Charri last December.
Sky Sports has reached out to the WBA for comment on the evolving landscape.
Note: This summary reflects recent reporting and quotes; contract talks and official rulings can shift as negotiations progress.
