Kubrat Pulev vs. Michael Hunter | DKP - October 4, 2025 (OFF)

[Ruthless-RKO]

KUBRAT PULEV VS. MICHAEL HUNTER: WBA ORDERS MAY 27 PURSE BID AFTER FAILED NEGOTIATIONS

After both camps failed to negotiate terms, reigning WBA (Regular) world champion Kubrat Pulev's proposed matchup with mandatory challenger Michael Hunter is headed for purse bids later this month.

The WBA have today officially called a purse bid, scheduled for May 27 in Houston, Texas, and it will be conducted by WBA Championships Committee Vice-Chairman Julio Thyme.

With a 75%-25% split in the champion's favour, Bulgarian veteran Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) will be obliged to make his first defence against the division's top available contender after No. 1-ranked contender Fabio Wardley's request to face Jarrell Miller on June 7 was approved.

Miller withdrew citing a shoulder injury and has other issues to contend with as the heavy-handed American seeks a return to prominence after going winless in his last two high-profile bouts against Daniel Dubois and Andy Ruiz Jr.

Australia's unbeaten heavyweight prospect Justis Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) has stepped into the breach on short-notice after elbow surgery earlier this year, and Tuesday they had a launch press conference before their Portman Road stadium fight in three weeks' time.

Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs), by contrast, is unbeaten in 14 fights since a wide, 12-round unanimous decision defeat by Oleksandr Usyk for WBO world cruiserweight honours in April 2017.

Victories over Martin Bakole and Sergey Kuzmin have aged well for the 36-year-old, while his agemate has largely stagnated and now has a promotional dispute to contend with.

Pulev, who outpointed Mahmoud Charr in December, turned 44 earlier this month.

Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs), was tabbed to return April 19 and promised to produce a statement against compatriot Christopher Lovejoy (20-1-1, 20 KOs) before the fight fell through, with "contractual differences" involving promoter Don King cited. Instead, circumstances outside his control may have swung the odds in his favour.

[londonwar]

Hunter is a pointless waste of time. Almost as annoying as nelson hysa.

[Ruthless-RKO]

DON KING WINS $1.1M PURSE BID TO STAGE WBA 'REGULAR' HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT BETWEEN KUBRAT PULEV, MICHAEL HUNTER

Don King is back in the heavyweight title picture as a potential player.

The Hall of Fame promoter announced Wednesday he won a $1.1 million WBA purse bid to promote the “regular” heavyweight title fight between Kubrat Pulev and Michael Hunter on Aug. 23 at a site to be determined. King said locations across Florida, Las Vegas, Ohio and Pennsylvania will be considered, as the event will take place on his 94th birthday.

While the WBA has promised in recent years to clean up and consolidate its secondary title picture across each of the weight classes, titles such as the one Pulev owns are still prevalent and cause confusion in the sport as to who exactly is the real champion in each division.

The WBA ordered a four-man heavyweight tournament in April with Fabio Wardley set to take on Jarrell Miller, but the announced fight has since been upended by a shoulder injury to the latter. Justis Huni will instead face Wardley on June 7 in Ipswich, England, for the interim version of the secondary belt.

According to the WBA, the winners between Wardley-Huni and Pulev-Hunter would have to fight each other no later than Dec. 31. Only Wardley is ranked in the top 10 at No. 10 in The Ring’s heavyweight rankings.

Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs), a 44-year-old from Bulgaria, secured the WBA “regular” title with a 12-round unanimous decision win against Mahmoud Charr in December.

Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs) won the vacant WBA gold title in June with a unanimous decision win against Cassius Chaney. Hunter last fought in December and scored a fifth-round TKO win against Christian Larrondo Garcia in Mexico.

Oleksandr Usyk has held the WBA “super” heavyweight title since beating Anthony Joshua in 2021 and will look to defend the crown once again when he takes on Daniel Dubois for the undisputed crown on July 19 at Wembley Stadium.

Usyk also holds The Ring, WBC and WBO titles. Dubois has the IBF crown courtesy of a KO of Joshua in September after the Ukrainian had vacated the title to move forward with his December rematch against Tyson Fury.

[gregregegg]

Terrible fight. Deserves to have don king in charge.

[gilgamesh]

Do Don King promoted WBA Heavyweight Title fights ever actually happen anymore? It seems like he schedules one every few years, and then it never actually happens.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Does he even promote these two?

He always seems to bid in these wba regular or interim fights lol

[mickgw]

Hunter is just like dozens of current Heavyweights,who are just wasting their time and treading water, Since covid many of these barely active Heavyweights main claim to fame has been to put on copious amounts of pounds, while having fights scheduled against TBA only to be cancelled ,For what its worth i have Hunter eeking out a decision win over Pulev, who despite being well past his prime is at least durable, I would rather see Hunter vs Bryant Jennings, and Pulev vs Luis Ortiz.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This month ?

Has DK announced the fight? Haha I can’t even remember

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kubrat Pulev vs Michael Hunter announced for October 4

Don King says he’s got Kubrat Pulev vs Michael Hunter scheduled for October.

Don King Productions has announced an October 4 date for a fight between Kubrat Pulev and Michael Hunter, just days after King issued a cease and desist order against the news that Hunter would fight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller on September 11.

King says the fight is set for October 4 in Miami, at Casino Miami, formerly known as Miami Jai-Alai Fronton, where he’s held several shows in recent years.

Whether or not the fight — which would be for Pulev’s “world” (aka “regular”) WBA heavyweight title — actually happens remains to be seen. King won a purse bid for the fight at $1.1 million, and says he still has a contract with Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KO) that was signed in February 2024, for three years.

Here is King’s side of the ongoing situation:

“The threats of lawsuits continues against the WBA by Epic Sports and Entertainment. It’s all corruption, fraud, bribery, rigged schemes and crooked scams by Epic Sports appealing to the WBA for reconsideration of the WBA purse bid, for Pulev vs Hunter, which DKP won. Now, Epic Sports is trying to change and to nullify the bout. This clouds the atmosphere with lies and the deception of the truth, fake and false news.”

“The WBA honorably stood up for their rules and regulations and declared the purse bid valid and legitimate, as held, then Epic Sports and the WBA champion Kubrat Pulev made an appeal to change the meaning of the WBA rules and regulations…The WBA honorably denied the champion Kubrat Pulev and Epic Sports, then Epic Sports rewrote the purse bid contracts just as though they had won the purse bid, and asked the WBA to dishonorably and illegally grant their appeal.”

“However, John Wirt never stops in trying to prevent the bout, for the No. 1 contender Michael Hunter, not to fight. Now Epic Sports John Wirt and Ivaylo Gotzev are filing a lawsuit for the arbitrations against the WBA’s decisions of justice and fair play against their Epic Sports and Entertainment Company. However, DKP will not wait for that decision to come about. DKP will stand up and support the WBA’s honor and credibility in their decision for fair play and justice regarding the WBA purse bid situation. The credibility of the WBA is at stake.”

“The credibility of the WBA” is a pretty funny idea to any longtime boxing fan, and King is hardly some paragon, but it has to be said that if he does have a valid contract with Hunter, and he can cover the purse bid he won, then yeah, he has a point.

King also says that Blair Cobbs, Adrien Broner, and Noel Mikaelian will also be in action on the supposed October 4 card.

The 44-year-old Pulev (32-3, 14 KO) beat Mahmoud Charr last December in Bulgaria, ending Charr’s long, bizarre claim to being “world heavyweight champion.” Hunter, 37, has fought at a fairly low level since a controversial draw against Jerry Forrest on a Triller card in late 2021, but has won four straight.

This really is a lot of trouble to go to over a fight that will barely register on the larger boxing radar, but that is a lot of Don King’s business for the last 15 or 20 years. He’s still kicking, if only just.

[joshj909]

Is King basically saying that he's forcing Hunter to face Pulev on that date and he doesn't have a choice because he won the purse bids? That's not what purse bids are... He can dispute whether Hunter can engage in another fight without his approval/cut which would've been in their contract but Hunter doesn't have to fight Pulev if he doesn't want to. It's not like King will pay Hunter anyway.

King's a scumbag and Hunter's an idiot for signing with him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Epic Sports takes control of Pulev’s title defense

On Thursday, Epic Sports & Entertainment, the official promoter of WBA World Heavyweight Champion Kubrat Pulev, confirmed the Pulev vs Hunter clash was dead.

The promotional company issued a damning statement aimed at Don King and the WBA, which had previously awarded King the purse bid.

“After months of dispute and uncertainty, justice has prevailed,” read the Epic Sports statement obtained by World Boxing News.

“Epic Sports & Entertainment, the official promoter of WBA World Heavyweight Champion Kubrat Pulev, announced today that it has successfully regained full control of Pulev’s first title defense following the invalidated purse bid previously ‘won’ by Don King Productions.

“On May 27, 2025, the World Boxing Association (WBA) awarded the purse bid promotional rights for Pulev’s mandatory defense against Michael Hunter to Don King Productions.

“However, prior to the purse bid, Epic Sports objected to Pulev being ordered to fight Hunter because Hunter was in a legal dispute with Don King Productions and had committed to fight on September 11, 2025.

“Following the recent confirmation of Hunter’s fight on September 11, 2025, against Jarrell Miller, as well as the continuing public disclosure of the legal dispute between Hunter and Don King Productions, the WBA has now agreed to rescind the purse bid award.

“In accordance with a signed settlement agreement between Pulev and the WBA, Pulev is no longer obliged to face Hunter and is cleared to make his first title defense against any ranked WBA contender on a voluntary basis.”

Gotzev, Pulev, and Wirt react

Ivaylo Gotzev, CEO of Epic Sports, declared the mess over.

“We are ecstatic that justice has prevailed. We worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The resolution made by the WBA restores clarity and allows us to finally start planning proper negotiations for Kubrat’s first title defense.

“The heavyweight division is wide open, and we are now in a position to stage a world-class event with renewed energy and excitement.”

Champion Kubrat Pulev added, “I’ve waited patiently while this situation played out, and now the path is clear. I am ready to defend my belt with honor before the end of 2025.

“The fans deserve a big fight, and I am motivated more than ever to deliver. I welcome all serious challengers who want to step into the ring with me.”

John Wirt, Chairman of Epic Sports, turned his fire on Don King.

“From the outset, we made clear that Hunter was in a legal dispute with Don King Productions and already committed to a September 11 fight, so the WBA should never have ordered a Pulev–Hunter purse bid.

“DKP’s press release attacking Pulev is baseless. Pulev simply exercised his right to due process under the WBA’s own rules, and the facts prevailed.”

Epic Sports has now thrown the door wide open to contenders, promoters, and broadcasters.

“With global broadcast opportunities and major event partnerships on the table, Epic Sports is committed to staging a fight that elevates both Pulev and the prestige of the WBA title,” their release concluded.

[tiny_acres]

My bet is Pulev cashes in big time in Saudi against Moses.
The prince loves Moses and this is one way to get him a belt now

[Ruthless-RKO]

My bet is Pulev cashes in big time in Saudi against Moses.
The prince loves Moses and this is one way to get him a belt now

Pulev doesn’t seem like the one who will sell his belt.

Some of these European boxers are but more strict.

He can pull off some routine title defences in Sofia and draw crowds. Build them as world championship boxing.

If he remains champion, i don’t know how WBA will order the super champion to fight him.

It’s like Trevor Bryan was never gonna get ordered to fight AJ or Usyk.

Until he lost to Dubois, then the promoters pushed it.

Money makes things happen

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

After months of dispute and uncertainty, Epic Sports & Entertainment, the official promoter of WBA regular heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev, announced that it has successfully regained full control of Pulev’s first title defense following the invalidated purse bid previously “won” by Don King Productions. On May 27th, the WBA awarded the purse bid promotional rights for Pulev’s mandatory defense against Michael Hunter to Don King Productions. However, prior to the purse bid, Epic Sports objected to Pulev being ordered to fight Hunter because Hunter was in a legal dispute with Don King Productions and had committed to a different fight on September 11th. Following the recent confirmation of Hunter’s fight on September 11th against Jarrell Miller as well as the continuing public disclosure of the legal dispute between Hunter and Don King Productions, the WBA has now agreed to rescind the purse bid award. Under a signed settlement agreement between Pulev and the WBA, Pulev is no longer obliged to face Hunter and is cleared to make his first title defense against any ranked WBA contender on a voluntary basis. [Oleksandr Usyk remains the WBA super champion and the legitimate world heavyweight champion].

Ivaylo Gotzev, CEO of Epic Sports & Entertainment, said:
"We are ecstatic that justice has prevailed. We worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The resolution made by the WBA restores clarity and allows us to finally start planning proper negotiations for Kubrat’s first title defense. The heavyweight division is wide open, and we are now in position to stage a world-class event with renewed energy and excitement."

Kubrat Pulev commented:
"I’ve waited patiently while this situation played out, and now the path is clear. I am ready to defend my belt with honor before the end of 2025. The fans deserve a big fight, and I am motivated more than ever to deliver. I welcome all serious challengers who want to step into the ring with me."

John Wirt, Chairman of Epic Sports & Entertainment, added:
“From the outset, we made clear that Hunter was in a legal dispute with Don King Productions and already committed to a September 11 fight, so the WBA should never have ordered a Pulev–Hunter purse bid. DKP’s press release attacking Pulev is baseless. Pulev simply exercised his right to due process under the WBA’s own rules — and the facts prevailed.”

PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE

JULY 28, 2025: The WBA has again denied Epic Sports and Entertainment’s second appeal trying to stop the WBA's order of a regular title bout between secondary heavyweight title holder Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev and Michael “The Bounty” Hunter who is promoted by Don King Promotions. Pulev does not want to fight [the underserving] Hunter but King won the $1.1 million WBA purse bid and has been given the green light by the WBA for a second time to move forward in staging this championship fight.

A Southern California native, Hunter is listed as 24-1-2 but that is a disingenuous record as it ignores an April 2024 loss to little-known Atem Suslenkov in Uzbekistan. In his last fight in December, Hunter registered a fifth-round TKO over Christian Larrondo Garcia in Mexico. Hunter’s only other career setback came back in 2017 when he lost a unanimous twelve-round decision to current world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

“After a bunch of lies and disposing of two appeals, we are moving forward with looking for possible sites and sponsorships for this heavyweight championship to be held before the end of the year,” said King. “Michael Hunter is excited for this great opportunity, and he plans to show the world that he will take the belt from Pulev."

[Ruthless-RKO]

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