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Moses Itauma struck a blow a day after announcing his world title shot

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Pulev will defend his WBA

Moses Itauma's world title hopes have been dashed. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Moses Itauma’s world title hopes have been dashed. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Moses Itauma’s next fight appears to be on hold.

Itauma’s search for an opponent appeared to be over on Wednesday when Kubrat Pulev was ordered to defend his “regular” WBA heavyweight title against him.

However, the 20-year-old appeared to be dealt a blow after Pulev decided to defend his crown against Murat Gassiev on December 12 in Dubai.

The Pulev-Gassiev fight will be the main attraction of the IBA Pro 13 tournament held at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

“It has been a long and challenging wait, but I am thrilled to have finally defended my world title,” Pulev said.

Pulev will defend his
Pulev will defend his “regular” WBA heavyweight title against Gassiev on December 12. Photo: IBA Pro

“I respect Murat Gassiev – he is a powerful and risky opponent – ​​but I am ready, focused and eager to give the fans a great fight.

“I am grateful to the IBA and Epic Sports for making this possible and I look forward to returning to the ring.”

The 44-year-old won the WBA title by defeating Mahmoud Charr in December in his hometown of Sofia.

Pulev was ordered to defend his
Pulev was ordered to defend his “regular” WBA title against Itauma. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

The WBA ordered the Bulgarian to face Michael Hunter, but after the American’s decision to face Jarrell Miller in a fight that ultimately did not take place, the WBA removed him from its mandatory challenger.

The governing body said Pulev had the opportunity to voluntarily defend his title, but when he failed to do so, he was ordered to face Itauma, with both sides having until November 14 to reach an agreement.

In a letter received by journalist Dan Rafael and posted on page XWBA wrote: “Because the WBA did not receive an agreed contract from Pulev and Hunter within the time required by WBA regulations, and Hunter elected to fight a fight other than the one subject to the award, Pulev no longer has to fight Hunter to retain the WBA title.

Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“The WBA releases Pulev from any obligation to fight in defense of his title against Hunter and invalidates the Pulev-Hunter offer.

“The agreement provided that Pulev would be able to defend his title against any available challenger within the WBA heavyweight division within a reasonable time after the conclusion of this agreement.

“No such title defense has been conducted or announced.

“Therefore, the Committee requires Pulev to engage in a mandatory defense against the next leading available challenger and WBA No. 1 ranked contender, Moses Itauma.

“The WBA gives 30 days [October 15 – November 14] for negotiations and if no agreement is reached, the World Championship Committee will call for a cash offer.”

Itauma was scheduled to return on December 13 in Manchester, but in airy of the WBA’s order, his return was to be delayed, said a source with knowledge of the plans. proboxing-fans.com.

However, with Pulev-Gasev now official, it is unclear whether the potential top heavyweight will fight before the end of the year.

The Kent fighter, who stopped Dillian Whyte in a round in August, is the number one contender in both the WBO and WBA rankings, behind undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk was agreed to extend the negotiations next Saturday at the O2 Arena he will face WBO interim champion Joseph Parker, who will face Fabio Wardley.

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UK Boxing

Eddie Hearn responds to Dana White about Joshua-Fury

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Eddie Hearn has denied that Dana White will promote the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Eddie Hearn has once again insisted that Dana White will not be involved in promoting the Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury match.

Joshua, who has been promoted by Hearn’s Matchroom since his debut, has signed a contract to fight Fury, with their long-awaited heavyweight fight expected to take place in November.

Hearn claims the contract stipulates that White’s Zuffa Boxing – which is partly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Seli – will not be allowed to play any role in the superfight, even though the UFC boss has promised to promote it.

White doubled down on these comments when pressed Professional boxing fans following his inaugural appearance at British Zuffa in Bournemouth on Saturday.

“Do you think I would lie in public and make myself look like an idiot in front of everyone?” – said the 56-year-old.

“Do you believe I would do that?

“What would be the point?

“Call Eddie now and ask if he knows where the fight is.

“Call Eddie and ask who negotiated the contract for this fight.”

Eddie Hearn has denied that Dana White will promote the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Hearn and White have been embroiled in a public feud since the latter stole Hearn’s prized acquisition, Conor Benn, from Zuffa.

The Matchroom chairman slammed his promotional rival, claiming White played no role in the negotiations and it was agreed that the fight would take place in the UK.

“Dana White had nothing to do with the fight negotiations,” Hearn said IFLTV.

“It was agreed between me, Sela and the entire legal team there.

Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson
Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson

“He talked to [Saudi Arabian boxing chief] Turki Alalshikh and told him that he should play with Fury against AJ in Las Vegas.

“There is a very clear clause in the contract that Zuffa, Dana White, TKO or anyone associated with them cannot participate in the program.

“The second thing that is in the contract was at the request of Anthony Joshua and me [Matchroom] the fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must take place in the UK.”

Earlier this week, Boxing Scene reported that SoFi Stadium in California was being considered as a potential venue for the fight.

Hearn said the location was in Alalshikh’s hands and the contract would have to be renegotiated if the deal went to the US.

“If they want to renegotiate the contract, sign the contract again,” he added.

“We can look into it.

Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“But we agreed to this fight, we signed a contract for this fight, the biggest fight in the history of British boxing, because we want this fight to take place in the UK.”

Joshua will return for the first time since then knocking out Jake Paul in December, when he will face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyad.

The 36-year-old took a break from boxing after he was involved in a horrific car crash 10 days later that killed two of his close friends and left him with minor injuries.

The two-time world heavyweight champion returned to a training camp in Spain with former rival turned stablemate Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury, who retired in April to beat Arslanbek Makhmudov, is also expected to fight before fighting “AJ” in August.

The post Eddie Hearn responds to Dana White about Joshua-Fury appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Lerrone Richards files appeal following controversial defeat of Albert Ramirez

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Lerrone Richards admits he is devastated after his controversial split decision loss to Albert Ramirez in Canada. Photo: Vitor Munhoz/Eye Of The Tiger

Lerrone Richards has filed an appeal with the WBA following his controversial loss to Albert Ramirez last Thursday in Canada.

Richards was defeated by a controversial split decision over Ramirez in their fight for the interim WBA delicate heavyweight title in Montreal, sparking widespread outrage on social media.

33-year-old said he intended to appeal the result, and his S-JAM Boxing management team filed an appeal to the WBA on Tuesday.

The British team hopes that the result will be annulled and an immediate rematch ordered.

said Archie Slaymaker, Boxing Operations Manager at S-JAM Boxing proboxing-fans.com on Thursday: “The appeal was sent to the WBA on Tuesday afternoon with the hope that the result of last Thursday’s fight would be invalidated and an immediate rematch would be ordered.

Lerrone Richards admits he is devastated after his controversial split decision loss to Albert Ramirez in Canada. Photo: Vitor Munhoz/Eye Of The Tiger

“We all look forward to hearing the outcome of the appeal in due course.”

“Sniper The Boss” admitted that he was devastated by the result, which resulted in him losing the chance to fight delicate heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.

The southpaw suffered his second loss in three fights, stopped by Steed Woodall in 2024, and called for “justice” after the defeat.

“When I read the result, I was devastated,” Richards said proboxing-fans.com.

Most felt that Richards had done enough to defeat Ramirez. Photo: Vitor Munhoz/Eye Of The Tiger
Most felt that Richards had done enough to defeat Ramirez. Photo: Vitor Munhoz/Eye Of The Tiger

“I went back to the locker room and honestly, I broke down and cried.

“I am a winner. Being robbed like this is devastating.

A fair outcome would be for this decision to be overturned, and if not overturned, for it to be deemed a default or not, and Ramirez and I would reverse it.

“I leave this to the team and hopefully we will have news within the next week or two.”

“There should be no dispute.

“There shouldn’t be any controversy.

You should just give me victory, give me what I worked tough for, give me what I deserve.

“I want justice.”

The post Lerrone Richards filed an appeal following controversial defeat of Albert Ramirez appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Why is Tommy Fury fighting Eddie Hall?

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Fury and Hall face-to-face ahead of Saturday's clash. Photo: MF Pro

Tommy Fury admits his career is not the norm.

Fury, the younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson, is in a unique position.

Due in part to the furore his name has caused, but also to the fame he gained on the reality show Love Island in 2019, the 27-year-old can choose his fights almost freely.

In a week in which he welcomed his second child with long-time girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague, whom he met on Love Island, “TNT” faces the toughest challenge of its career as 2017 World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall performs on Saturday at the AO Arena in Manchester live on DAZN pay-per-view.

The Manchester player will earn another seven-figure payday for fighting the 300-pound behemoth, who has only previously fought strongman rival Thor Björnson.

Fury has already cashed in millions after 14 rounds against YouTube sensations, Jake Paul and KSI, which attracted massive audiences and colossal pay-per-view purchases.

It’s these substantial events and checks that have pulled Fury away from the classic route and into the crossover scene, where there’s much less risk and much quicker reward.

“I can’t facilitate the way my career has gone,” he further said Ariel Helwani show.

“I’ve probably had the most amazing career ever because I’ve combined it with both sides.

Fury and Hall face-to-face ahead of Saturday’s clash. Photo: MF Pro

“The fact is you have to know your worth.

“I’m not saying I’m a world champion because I’m far from it, but like them, they only fight once, twice or a year.

“It’s like me, I won’t fight for anything less than what I’m worth.

“At the end of the day, if it makes money, it makes sense and that’s why I’m getting back in the ring.

“I will never fight for anything I know I am not worthy of.”

Fury, who secured eight straight professional victories before back-to-back victories over the aforementioned Paul and KSI, brings legitimacy and experience to a scene that has attracted names more known for their social media following than their in-ring knowledge.

Jack Kay, nicknamed the “Final Boss of Ibiza”, rose to fame after his escapades on the Spanish party island last summer, and his viral fame landed him in a fight with rapper Jordan McCann.

Some gigantic influencers were mentioned Big stacks – who calls himself the toughest man in Britain – and Armz Korleone are also part of a confused night in Manchester.

Despite his claims that he aims to be a world champion one day, it seems his immediate future will be to continue making substantial money, and with a combined Instagram following of more than 10 million, both Fury and Hall will benefit greatly from six two-minute rounds of graft on Saturday.

The post Why is Tommy Fury fighting Eddie Hall? appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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