Musa Itauma: British heavyweight’s plans are unclear as Kubrat Pulev plans to fight Murad Gassiev

Promoter Frank Warren says Kubrat Pulev should defend his “regular” WBA title against British heavyweight Moses Itauma next.

Bulgarian Pulev announced his plans to face Russian Murat Gassiev on December 12, despite receiving orders to face 20-year-old Itauma.

Queensberry’s Warren, who is promoting Itauma, said earlier this week that his team was “continuing” its fight with Pulev.

This was after the WBA ordered the bout to take place and gave both sides 30 days to negotiate a deal.

But the 44-year-old Pulev’s promoter, Ivaylo Gotzev, who is CEO of Epic Sports and Entertainment, said Thursday that the WBA had agreed to allow the veteran to defend voluntarily, rather than the mandatory Itauma fight.

BBC Sport has seen a notice from the WBA dated October 14 ordering Pulev to face Itauma as his next opponent.

“Despite the recent hype, we have an official decision from the WBA allowing Kubrat Pulev’s first title defense to be voluntary, and in line with that, we have faced a fantastic opponent in Murat Gassiev,” Gutzev said.

In a previous statement issued to the media, Gutsev claimed that the fight between Pulev and Gassiev was “signed and sealed” and that Itauma should “wait his turn.” She also said that Itauma has been offered a spot on the Pulev-Gassiev undercard.

However, an updated statement removed the direct reference to Itauma by name.

Speaking to BBC Sport on Thursday, Warren said: “Pulev has to fight Musa next.”

The WBA has been contacted for clarification.