Fabio Wardley: What’s next for heavyweights Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, Moses Itauma and Tyson Fury

Rising star Moses Itauma is Britain’s next big hope at heavyweight – but the 20-year-old is yet to put the finishing touches on his next contest.

Itauma further enhanced his reputation by stopping Dillian Whyte in the first round in August, extending his perfect record to 13 wins with 11 knockouts.

In the wake of this stunning win, Itauma was linked to bouts against Filip Hrgovic, Michael Hunter and local rival David Adelaye.

Itauma was considering a fight in December, with Dereck Chisora ​​suggesting he would share the card with Itauma on December 13 in Manchester.

But that history is now in doubt for the Chatham heavyweight, who is learning the hard way about the politics of boxing.

WBA ‘regular’ champion Kubrat Pulev has been ordered to defend his belt against Itauma on October 14, but the 44-year-old has announced plans to face Russia’s Murat Gassiev on December 12.

The WBA order means the two sides have 30 days to negotiate an agreement.

Queensbury’s Frank Warren, who is promoting Itauma, told BBC Sport: “Pulev has to battle Musa next with potential host cities in London and Manchester.”

Itauma has also been suggested as a potential challenger to undisputed champion Usyk, but the Ukrainian played down those rumors earlier this month.

As for Chisora, he appeared on stage at the O2 Arena alongside fellow British heavyweight Whyte and American Jarrell Miller before Wardley’s win over Parker.

Speaking about potential fights and asking if we could see Chisora ​​and Whyte meet for a third time, Chisora ​​said “yes, if the contract is right,” before adding that it would “100% happen in December.”