Pundit warns Joshua to avoid Makhmudov

The World Boxing Association (WBA) has ordered to challenge Kubrat Pulev for the WBA heavyweight belt, reports skysports.com.

The unbeaten 20-year-old Itauma is targeting a version of the world title in just his 14th bout following his first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in August.

Pulev was initially ordered to make a WBA title defence against Michael Hunter, but they did not agree on terms for the bout, and the Bulgarian must now face WBA number one-ranked contender Itauma.

Undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk holds the WBA ‘super’ title, while Pulev claimed the WBA ‘regular’ belt after a points victory over Mahmoud Charr last December.

Pulev’s previous world title fight was in 2020, ending in a ninth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.

Itauma had been offered an IBF final eliminator against Cuban Frank Sanchez, with the winner earning a shot at

Usyk’s IBF belt, but he has turned his attention to a WBA belt.

Pulev and Itauma will now have 30 days to negotiate details of the bout, and if no agreement is reached, then the WBA will order a purse bid.

Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua has been told that it would be a grave mistake to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov when he returns to the ring next year.

Joshua has not fought since his devastating knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, spending over 12 months out of the ring, having also undergone elbow surgery.

The two-time world champion is expected to return in early 2026, planning to fight once or possibly twice before colliding with one of the division’s biggest names next summer.

Makhmudov has fuelled talk that he could be the man ‘AJ’ returns against. The towering Russian, who trains for fights by wrestling bears and having members of his team hit him in the gut with sledgehammers, went to Sheffield on Saturday night and beat Dave Allen via unanimous decision, immediately calling out Joshua in the aftermath of his impressive victory.

While a terrifying prospect at a glance, Makhmudov has been beaten twice in his career, outclassed by Agit Kabayel in 2023 and stopped by Guido Vianello in August 2024, damaging defeats for a fighter who is yet to prove he can challenge at the highest level.

While Joshua needs to hit the ground running when he does return to the ring next year, Johnny Nelson is not convinced Makhmudov is the man.

The former cruiserweight champion revealed he is aware talks have taken place but believes a fight against the 6ft 5in giant would represent a major ‘step down’ for Joshua, who needs to be aiming higher at a pivotal juncture in his career. “Makhmudov was mentioned to Tyson Fury, and he (Fury) said Why would I be boxing that guy? He wants someone with a name,” Nelson told Metro.

“So why would Anthony Joshua want to fight Makhmudov? It would be Anthony Joshua stepping down to box him. It would look worse for him.”