Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Murat Gasiev will move on to Saturday after finding a replacement opponent for the Russian in his first defense of his WBA heavyweight title.
Gasiev, who was promoted from regular to full WBA champion status after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt last month, was scheduled to face Tony Yoka before the Frenchman pulled out with a back injury.
After speculation that Britain’s Joe Joyce, who is fighting on the IBA Pro 19 bill in Moscow, could get a shot at the title, Germany’s Peter Kadyru has finally been given the chance to face Gasiev.
Gasiev, who has a professional record of 33-2 with 26 knockouts, said: “I was fully prepared and ready for Tony Yoka, but boxing is unpredictable and champions must adapt.
“Peter Kadyru is a big, strong, experienced fighter with a solid amateur pedigree and real ability. It’s special to fight at home in Moscow in front of my Russian fans for my first defense.”
Murat Gasiev defends his WBA heavyweight title for the first time
Kadiru has a 23-1 record, having won nine in a row since the only loss of his professional career in 2022.
The most recent of these was a unanimous decision victory over Senad Gashi in May.
Kadiru said: “Since my win over Senad Gashi, I have been in the gym training and looking forward to getting back in the ring. I am excited for the opportunity to travel to Russia and challenge for the WBA heavyweight world title on July 11.
“This is my moment. My team and I should be locked in and ready for a big performance in Moscow.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gassiev’s promoter Al Siesta is confident his fighter will defeat Moses Itauma and says he will unify the heavyweight division within the next two years.
Joyce, who fights Artem Suslenkov on the undercard, was considered a possible opponent for Gassiev, but fell short of a world title shot.
The 40-year-old has lost four of his last five fights and faces a dangerous opponent in the undefeated Suslenkov.
The division was left wide open by Usyk relinquishing his WBC, WBA and IBF titles in June despite the Ukrainian saying he would not retire from the sport.
Britain’s Daniel Dubois holds the WBO title that previously belonged to Usyk, while Agit Kabayel inherited the WBC belt.
