IBA president Albert Siesta has called out Moses Itauma’s team for going radio silent on a possible fight with Murat Gassiev.
In Dubai, Gassiev stopped Pulev in their fight last month to become WBA ‘regular’ champion and this should have made way for a fight with Itauma.
Since then the WBA have ordered Itauma to face the former cruiserweight world champion.
Gassiev’s co-promotor Siesta spoke to Sky Sports and accused Itauma and his team of going radio silent instead of looking at making a fight.
“There was, of course, an order by the WBA for Moses Itauma to face the winner of Pulev vs Gassiev – with a lot of talk from our friends at Queensberry Promotions – but since Gassiev’s destructive performance, it all seems to have gone quiet.
“Now, there is talk of Itauma vs Lawrence Okolie.”
Itauma was recently ordered to face Okolie by the WBC in a final eliminator for the belt Oleksandr Usyk currently holds.
Okolie spoke to ESPN on the possible fight with the 20-year-old.
“Two Nigerians getting it on — it’s going to be amazing.
“I wish Moses Itauma luck in his fight against Franklin, and then after that we’ve been mandated to box for the final eliminator for the world title.”
Siesta continued and revealed he believes Itauma’s team have gone quiet because of the winner of December 13th’s clash between Pulev and Gassiev.
“For me, this is no coincidence. They would have jumped at the chance to face a 44-year-old Kubrat Pulev, but a prime, heavy-hitter like Murat Gassiev?
“I know the game and I can see why Frank Warren would not want to put his ‘Golden Boy’ in with Murat. We take it as a compliment!”
Itauma last fought in August where he headlined for the first time over in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
He blew Dillian Whyte out in a round and showed off the level he is currently competing at in what was a massive step-up on paper.
The 20-year-old is scheduled to return in a few weeks against the seasoned Jermaine Franklin at the AO Arena in Manchester where he is set to headline in the UK for the first time.
Franklin has gone the distance with both Whyte and two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua so may prove to be a tough test for Itauma.
