For five rounds in Dubai last night it looked as though Murat Gassiev was on course to lose a decision against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev and head back to Russia wondering why he didn’t let his hands go and take his opportunity.
Then, in round six, he did just that. He timed Pulev with a devastating left hook and left the WBA “Regular” heavyweight champion on his back, smiling but unable to pull himself upright in time to resume the fight.
That shot, as brutal as it was unexpected, turned the fight on its head and resulted in Gassiev taking home Pulev’s belt. It also reframed the Russian in the heavyweight division, ensuring he was now a man in demand, a man with a target on his back, and a man with plentiful options.
Indeed, no sooner had Pulev been counted out than a whole host of heavyweights were linked to a fight against the new champion. Among these names was Britain’s Derek Chisora, who is not only searching for his final career opponent – again – but was also ringside in Dubai to assess a couple of candidates, one of whom – Pulev – he has already beaten.
“He came after the fight,” Gassiev told IBA Pro Boxing, the night’s promoter. “I didn’t understand what he said exactly, but I think what he wants is a fight. He said ‘maybe in Moscow’. I said, ‘Moscow is good. But let’s try England. Maybe Wembley [Stadium]…’ I’m not a big star for Wembley, but maybe some small stadium or some undercard. We would give a good fight, I think. Derek is a good guy. I respect him a lot.”
Considering his latest victory, and the belt he won in the process, it would have been quite easy for Gassiev to overstate his power last night. Yet, based on his post-fight comments, he has done no such thing. Instead, Gassiev, 33-2 (26 KOs), seemingly appreciates both what he brings to a potential big fight, and where he possibly falls short, and will view his chances of landing a lucrative one in Great Britain accordingly. It is something he wants, clearly, but not something he expects. He knows, for all the selling and fibbing, that the belt he won last night – the WBA “Regular” heavyweight title – is a “world title” in name only. He knows it counts for very little while Oleksandr Usyk, the division number one, still holds the WBA “Super” title.
In fact, to further complicate matters, and to remind Gassiev of where he stands, it wasn’t long after beating Pulev that he was getting asked about Moses Itauma, the 20-year-old Brit who is now mandatory challenger for Gassiev’s new belt.
“Before the fight I heard about this,” said Gassiev, 32, “but right now in the heavyweight division everything changes very quickly. Oleksandr Usyk left his WBO belt, Fabio [Wardley] is now the 'real' champion, and everything changed. [The fight that is] more interesting for fans, our teams, for promoters, let’s do it. Any fight [is good] for me. I’m not a kid, you know? I’ve had a long time in this sport and I’m ready for any fighter. Whatever people want – whatever fighter – we make this.”
Although one can argue the merits of his title, and whether it is indeed a real one or not, it is refreshing nonetheless to hear that Murat Gassiev, with belt in tow, has his sights set on real fights in 2026.
