The WBA today have officially ordered Kubrat Pulev, their 'regular' beltholder, to clash with No. 1-ranked Moses Itauma.

The 20-year-old (13-0, 11 KOs) has pitched stoppage wins over America's overmatched Mike Balogun and longtime contender Dillian Whyte so far this year, but recently rejected a request to face Frank Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) in an IBF-mandated title eliminator.

The two sides now have 30 days, until November 14, to reach an agreement before purse bids are called.

This news comes at the expense of Michael Hunter, who was originally on the cusp of challenging Pulev before entertaining a high-stakes matchup with Jarrell Miller as part of the Canelo-Crawford fight week festivities last month. Their proposed bout fell apart at the 11th hour and now, the sanctioning body has rescinded the American's favourable position.

Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) and Hunter failed to provide them with signed contracts for their matchup, with the former's untimely correspondence delaying a bout first awarded in May that would later fall through.

Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs) now moves back of the line while No. 1-rated Itauma assumes the position, provided he accepts their order.

The Ring's 2024 Prospect of the Year has taken the heavyweight division by storm following a string of knockout victories against steady increases in competition.

His first-round finish of former WBC interim titleholder Whyte (31-4, 23 KOs) on August 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia headlined a show and Frank Warren later confirmed there are plans for him to do so again, two weeks before his 21st birthday in Manchester on December 13.

Pulev has gone on a three-fight win streak since being outpointed by Derek Chisora in July 2022 via 10-round split decision. When last seen, the 44-year-old scored a wide points win over Mahmoud Charr last December 7 in his native Bulgaria.