Kubrat Pulev has indicated he would welcome a future fight with WBA ‘super’ champion Oleksandr Usyk as a route to becoming the sole WBA titleholder at heavyweight.
Pulev currently holds the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight belt and defends it against Murat Gassiev in Dubai on Friday. Usyk, who beat Anthony Joshua in 2021, retains the WBA ‘super’ belt while also carrying unified titles. Pulev’s camp say a showdown with Usyk would help resolve the complication of two WBA belts in the division.
“We are focused on beating Gassiev,” promoter John Wirt told Sky Sports, adding that Pulev is in great shape and open to fighting top contenders, including Usyk.
Britain’s unbeaten prospect Moses Itauma is waiting for the winner of Pulev–Gassiev and remains a mandatory challenger with world-title ambitions. Pulev was initially ordered to make a mandatory defence against Itauma, but his team had already scheduled the Gassiev fight. The WBA has clarified that the winner of Pulev–Gassiev must face Itauma next, with negotiations due to open on January 25. Itauma defends his 13–0 record a day earlier against American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.
The WBA has not named a mandatory challenger for the ‘super’ title since Alexander Povetkin was designated for Anthony Joshua in 2018. Usyk has prioritized unification and undisputed goals since dethroning Joshua, which has typically taken precedence over mandatory obligations.
Usyk has been inactive since defeating Daniel Dubois in July to become undisputed champion for a second time, and he relinquished the WBO belt last month, enabling Fabio Wardley to be elevated as WBO champion. Last week Usyk signalled interest in a fight with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The WBA has not yet set any mandatory deadline for Usyk.
Pulev is preparing to defend his version of the WBA belt for the first time since beating Mahmoud Charr in December. Sky Sports has contacted the WBA for comment.