By Vadim Pushkin
IBF cruiserweight world champion Murat (24-0, 17 KOs) is going to make the first defense of his title on a date in May or June, according to his promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing.
Margules advised reporter Basil Konov that Gassiev's next bout would fall on a date on one of those two months.
Gassiev, who is advised by Al Haymon and trained by veteran coach Abel Sanchez, captured the title last December in Russia with a tough twelve round split decision over division veteran Denis Lebedev.
The fight with Gassiev was odd. He was only the IBF's mandatory challenger, which left the door open for only one title to be at stake. Lebedev also holds the WBA world title, but refused to stake that belt against Gassiev. That position created a scenario where Lebedev, win or less, would walk out of the ring as a world champion. Lebedev's demand created a lot controversy during fight week, before Gassiev had no choice but to accept the new terms and move forward with the contest.
Lebedev would like to have a rematch in the near future, but Gassiev will not agree to such a fight unless the WBA title is a stake in a unification encounter. Lebedev is not even training to fight at the moment and his next ring return is unknown.
The next opponent is unknown, but Gassiev first defense is being targeted for the United States. Five of his last six fights have taken place on American soil. Prior to 2015, nearly his entire career was staged in Russia.
One possible name that was mentioned to face Gassiev was former WBO champion Krzysztof Glowacki of Poland. It's unknown if Glowacki, who is also promoted by Warriors, is still an option for Gassiev's next fight. The majority of the top names at cruiserweight are already tied up in other contests.
