The Wrecking Ball, 20, was ordered to challenge The Cobra, 44, for his heavyweight championship, but Pulev has now agreed to defend his title against Murat Gassiev, 32, in Dubai on December 12.
Pulev’s promoter Ivaylo Gotzev said in a statement: “The Pulev vs Gassiev fight is signed, sealed, and confirmed - so Itauma will have to wait his turn.
“We have an official WBA resolution authorising Kubrat Pulev's first title defence to be a voluntary, and in line with that, we've locked in a terrific opponent in Murat Gassiev.”
Gotzev added he had spoken with Itauma’s Queensbury promoter Frank Warren about Exodus potentially fighting on the undercard.
He said: “We understand young Itauma is chomping at the bit, and as a professional courtesy I've spoken directly with his promoter, George Warren of Queensberry Promotions, to offer him a slot on the undercard.
“That would set the perfect stage for him to face the winner of the main event. This keeps everything aligned with the WBA's directive and ensures fans get a stacked world-class heavyweight spectacle in Dubai.”
Itauma - who the WBA No.1-ranked contender - had been offered an IBF final eliminator against Frank Sanchez, 33, with the winner then getting the chance at Oleksandr Usyk’s, 38, IBF title.
However, the young boxer instead opted to vie for the WBA championship before Pulev agreed to share the ring with Gassiev.
Although Exodus rejected the Sanchez fight, Itauma may still find another way to do battle with The Cat - and his trainer Ben Davison thinks such a bout would be a “win-win” for both sides.
Speaking with Sky Sports of a possible Usyk fight, Davison said: “I would take it. I would. I think it's a win-win.
“As much as Moses hasn't boxed anybody like Usyk, I don't think Usyk's boxed anybody like Moses. I think he would openly say that himself.
“It's something he [Itauma] would be up for. I think he's got the mindset: if you're taking a dive [into the deep end] you might as well take the dive. Hopefully we may end up in a world title fight.”
Itauma is hoping to have one more match before the end of 2025, and Davison thinks Jermaine Franklin, 31, or Filip Hrgovic, 33, would be a good fit.
He said: “Those are the two on everybody's lips. They're not interested and it's the same for pretty much all of them, so it's difficult.
“It's difficult to get these opponents at this moment in time. They're not interested, they don't want to play ball.
“They just want so much money to box him it's hard to get the opponents. The next fight, if we can pull something off and get somebody like that we're all for that. That's what we're after, the same as everybody else.
“But if not I suppose we'll have to drop down a level and try again in the new year maybe.”
