Kubrat Pulev would “definitely be interested” in a future battle with WBA ‘tremendous’ champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Pulev holds the WBA ‘common’ heavyweight title, which shall be at stake when he faces Murat Gassiev in Dubai on Friday, whereas unified champion Usyk has held the WBA ‘tremendous’ belt since his first victory over Anthony Joshua in 2021.
Usyk’s WBA necessary title commitments have been sophisticated by the existence of two WBA belts within the prime division, however Pulev would welcome the chance to determine a sole WBA champion.
Unified heavyweight champion Usyk holds the WBA ‘tremendous’, WBC and IBF titles
“We are focused on beating Gassiev,” Pulev’s promoter John Wirt informed Sky Sports activities.
“Kubrat is in great shape. We are willing to fight any contenders and would definitely be interested in fighting Usyk.”
Britain’s red-hot prospect Moses Itauma is mendacity in anticipate the Pulev-Gassiev winner and has world title ambitions of his personal.
Pulev was initially ordered to make a compulsory WBA title defence towards Itauma, however the Bulgarian’s crew had plans already in place for the battle towards Russia’s Gassiev.
Pulev faces Murat Gassiev for the WBA ‘common’ heavyweight title
The WBA have since clarified that the winner of Pulev-Gassiev should battle Itauma subsequent, with negotiations to start on January 25.
Itauma places his 13-fight unbeaten report on the road a day earlier when he faces American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.
The WBA haven’t introduced a compulsory challenger for the WBA ‘tremendous’ title since Alexander Povetkin was put in as an opponent for Joshua, who inflicted a seventh-round stoppage on the Russian at Wembley in 2018.
Usyk has been concerned in undisputed and unification world title fights since he dethroned Joshua, which often take precedence over necessary title bouts.
However the Ukrainian has been inactive since he defeated Daniel Dubois to develop into an undisputed champion for a second time in July and Usyk relinquished the WBO belt final month, leading to Fabio Wardley being elevated as new WBO champion.
Usyk broke his silence about potential opponents final week when he introduced his need to face former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
The WBA are but to make clear when Usyk should face a compulsory challenger, with Pulev poised to defend his personal model of their belt for the primary time since he defeated Mahmoud Charr final December.
Sky Sports activities has contacted the WBA for remark.
