Moses Itauma: Who can fight at heavyweight next when Frank Warren opens the door for Kubrat Pulev

Musa Itauma’s promoter Frank Warren says the heavyweight is happy to face Kubrat Pulev next after the WBA ordered the bout.

Pulev, the “regular” WBA champion, was ordered to defend his belt against the 20-year-old rising star.

Itauma’s side are considering a fight for the Englishman in December, with Dereck Chisora ​​suggesting he will share the card with Itauma on December 13 in Manchester.

“Many top heavyweights have already turned down a fight with Moses, but if Pulev wants the job now that he’s ordered it, we’ll definitely go ahead with it. It’s a great fight,” Warren told BBC Sport.

Itauma last fought in August when he knocked out former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in one round.

The result improved Itauma’s unbeaten record to thirteen matches and eleven knockouts.

Itauma has since been linked to a slew of potential opponents including Filip Hrjovic, Michael Hunter and local rival David Adelaye.

Warne is keen to give Itauma more rounds as the youngster has just 26 rounds under his belt so far.

Pulev is a 44-year-old veteran of the sport, with 35 fights to his record.

The Bulgarian has twice competed for world titles, losing to Anthony Joshua in 2020 and Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.

Queensberry’s boss Warren played down talk of an imminent fight with the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, but said Itauma “is already one of the best heavyweight boxers in world boxing”.

“Our job is to fight the right fights for him at the right time,” Warren said.

“I’ve been boxing for 47 years and at 20 he’s the best young talent at his age I’ve ever been involved with, and I’ve been involved with 99% of the top British fighters and other fighters from around the world.”