Kubrat Pulev says he would “definitely be interested” in a future fight with WBA ‘super’ champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Pulev holds the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title, which is on the line when he faces Murat Gassiev in Dubai on Friday. Usyk, the unified champion, has held the WBA ‘super’ belt since beating Anthony Joshua in 2021. Pulev says he would welcome the chance to establish a sole WBA champion amid complications caused by the two WBA belts at heavyweight.
“We are focused on beating Gassiev,” Pulev’s promoter John Wirt told Sky Sports. “Kubrat is in great shape. We are willing to fight any contenders and would definitely be interested in fighting Usyk.”
Britain’s unbeaten prospect Moses Itauma is waiting for the winner of Pulev-Gassiev and has world title ambitions. Pulev was initially ordered to make a mandatory WBA defence against Itauma, but his team had already arranged the Gassiev fight. The WBA has since clarified that the winner of Pulev-Gassiev must face Itauma next, with negotiations to begin on January 25. Itauma puts his 13-0 record on the line a day earlier when he meets American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.
The WBA has not named a mandatory challenger for the WBA ‘super’ title since Alexander Povetkin was designated for Joshua in 2018. Usyk has been prioritising unification and undisputed fights since dethroning Joshua, which typically supersede 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, paving the way for Fabio Wardley to be elevated as WBO champion.
Last week Usyk indicated his interest in facing former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The WBA have yet to specify when Usyk must meet any mandatory challenger. 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.