Moses Itauma calls for 'dinosaur' heavyweight to retire ahead of title defence

British heavyweight Moses Itauma has urged Kubrat Pulev to retire ahead of the Bulgarian's return on Friday.  

Pulev, who is the WBA's 'regular' heavyweight champion, defends his title against former unified cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev live on DAZN. 

This is a contest which could have implications for Itauma's career, with the 20-year-old being steered towards a date with the winner of Pulev-Gassiev. 

Moses Itauma urges '175 year old' Kubrat Pulev to retire

Itauma, more often than not, is someone who does not engage in trash talking, but when it came to Pulev, he did not hold back. 

With the Bulgarian set to feature in his 36th professional contest, Itauma called for Pulev to retire following a boxing career which stretches all the way back to 2009.

"Pulev is 175 years old, you need to let that man retire soon," Itauma told DAZN.

But with Itauma being linked to a fight for the WBA 'regular' heavyweight title, would he be watching Friday's showdown in Dubai?

"Probably not," was Itauma's simple and blunt response. 

Moses Itauma has little interest in fighting Kubrat Pulev

While Pulev and Gassiev go head-to-head in Dubai, Itauma has business of his own to prepare for when he takes on Jermaine Franklin next January, live on DAZN. 

If Itauma can win in style against the awkward and durable American, then a world title fight in 2026 is a real possibility with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk potentially vacating some of his belts. 

When it came to any interest in a possible meeting with Pulev if he overcame Gassiev, there is only one reason why Itauma would be remotely interested. 

"If it’s for a ranking, yeah, but the man’s a dinosaur," Itauma said. 

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A fight between Itauma and Pulev would only end in one way, and that would be a destructive Itauma knockout. 

No one quite knows why Pulev is still fighting, he has failed to beat the likes of Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora and Wladimir Klitschko, a clear sign that Pulev struggles on the biggest of stages. 

While he still has the WBA 'regular' heavyweight title around his waist, he will retain a high ranking and be in a position to challenge for the governing body's 'super' title.

However, for Itauma, with his talent and promotional backing, there is no need for him to face Pulev, it will halt his progress to heavyweight boxing's table when more meaningful fights can be made.

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