The WBA has officially sanctioned the heavyweight clash between its regular champion, Kubrat Pulev, and Russian fringe contender Murat Gassiev. The fight was already set to take place on December 12th. [Oleksandr Usyk remains the WBA super champion and true world champion of the heavyweight division]. The WBA's decision follows a special permit request submitted by Pulev’s team after a previous WBA resolution had ordered Pulev to make a mandatory defense against Britain’s Moses Itauma, the current WBA #1 contender in the heavyweight rankings. According to the WBA's ruling, Itauma retains his mandatory status and will face the winner of Pulev–Gassiev (or Pulev, in case of a draw or no-decision). The British prospect has also been cleared  to take an optional bout against Jermaine Franklin on January 24, 2026.

 

The victor of Pulev–Gassiev (or Pulev, in case of a draw or no-decision) will be required to defend the WBA regular title against Itauma. The negotiation period will open on January 25, 2026 and close on February 9th. If no agreement is reached within that time frame, the WBA will call for a purse bid, with a 50-50 split between both boxers. Finally, the WBA emphasized that no further special permits will be granted until Itauma exercises his rights as the mandatory challenger, in accordance with the organization’s championship regulations.