Scramble To Find Saturday Murat Gassiev WBA Heavyweight Challenger

As the week gets underway there is still intent for Russian, newly elevated WBA heavyweight champ Murat Gassiev to defend his title in a main event. The issue- who is fighting him?

First, Gassiev, 33-2, 26 KOs, was installed as the WBA world champ, when Oleksandr Usyk vacated his unified titles two weeks ago. And, the Russian has been planning to battle French contender Tony Yoka. However, Yoka had to withdraw last week with a back injury.

So that put the "scramble on" to find a suitable opponent that the WBA will accept for the main event bout.

Insider Dan Rafael reported first over the weekend that possible replacements were being sought,

Now, it should be noted that neither of those fighters are ranked even in the top 15 of the WBA's current heavyweight rankings. So, this has become somewhat of a farce. And, the issue with Moore, 19-1, 10 KOs, is that he lives and trains in Florida and would have to get visa approval and on very short notice make his way halfway around the globe to Eastern Europe.

The 29 year old Kadiru, 23-1, would be closer in Germany, but it's still debatable on him being admitted and being able to work out being in Moscow.

The promoters and Gassiev's team could turn to England's Joe Joyce, whom as we wrote earlier, is scheduled to fight another, little known Russian heavyweight on the undercard. 

However, Joyce is 40 years old and has lost 4 of his last five fights. Clearly not an ideal challenger.

Further, on our "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" out Monday morning Rafael told me that it was apparently not going to be Joyce as the chosen opponent for Gassiev, and that there is real debate on whether the card could be postponed by a week or more to give someone time to replace Yoka and then some promotional build up.

You can hear us hear,

The 32 year old Gassiev attained the WBA's "regular" title when he kayoed veteran Kubrat Pulev back in December in Dubai.

The 44 year old Pulev, was controlling the action, but the Gasisiev caught him with a big left hook coming at him in the sixth round. Pulev. toppled onto his back and was counted out at :50 of the round. It stunned those in attendance and sent Gassiev's team and management pouring into the ring to celebrate the surprise KO.

Bigger for Gassiev the victory made his biggest statement to date at heavyweight. After previously losing a decisive decision to Oleksandr Usyk in their 2018 undisputed cruiserweight clash, Gassiev had moved up, has now gone 7-1, winning his last three bouts by knockout.