Moses Itauma's 2025 campaign could be coming to an anticlimactic early ending.

BoxingScene have today reported the 20-year-old heavyweight contender, rated No. 9 by The Ring, could have his proposed Dec. 13 return postponed two months to February 7 after the WBA confusion surrounding Kubrat Pulev which unfolded over 24 hours last week.

The WBA ordered the Bulgarian, its "regular" beltholder, to face their No. 1-ranked contender in Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) with a November 14 deadline to agree terms before purse bids.

The following day, the IBA - affiliated with the WBA - announced Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) would instead be facing former IBF cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs) next on December 12 in Dubai, with a press release which began: Moses Must Wait.

Pulev-Gassiev was not ordered and a source close to the situation told BoxingScene the sanctioning body should strip Pulev, assuming their matchup goes ahead as planned.

The 44-year-old was originally granted a voluntary defence after outpointing Mahmoud Charr last December, though displeased by the time taken to organise one, the WBA attempted to enforce a fight between him and then-No. 1 contender Michael Hunter.

Pulev-Hunter was awarded in May but again, the American planned to box compatriot Jarrell Miller as part of the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight week festivities last month.

Although that matchup fell through, Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs) was moved back of the queue with Itauma assuming top spot after his explosive first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte.

Now though, The Ring's 2024 Prospect of the Year finds himself in a holding pattern waiting for another update on whether he'll be boxing in Manchester 12 days before Christmas.

He and Derek Chisora were to spearhead Queensberry's latest show up North in separate bouts, though speculation intensifies over who - if at all - either man will box. Queensberry chief Frank Warren has said Chisora's opponent will be announced at Joseph Parker-Fabio Wardley this weekend, while clarity over Itauma will be made in the coming days.