Murat Gassiev vs. Kevin Johnson - October 31, 2020?

[Ruthless-RKO]

The former cruiserweight world champion under the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Association (WBA), Murat Gassiev of Russia, can potentially make his heavyweight debut in the fall in Sochi.

The Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, is helping put together the event details.

“Yes, the fight of Murat [Gassiev] is being planned for one of the casinos in Sochi. However, in the summer it will definitely not take place,” Kremlev said to Tass.

Gassiev was supposed to make his heavyweight debut in 2019, but he was prevented by injuries. Later, he could not hold the planned match due to an unsuccessful training camp.

His first fight of 2020 was delayed when the entire sport was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In total, the 26-year-old athlete has 26 wins (19 by KO) and one defeat. And one fight was declared a no-contest.

The hard-puncher, trained by veteran coach Abel Sanchez, has been out of the ring for nearly two years, since July of 2018.

In his last fight, in what was the final bout of the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament, Gassiev suffered his first defeat as a pro when he was outboxed over twelve rounds by Oleksandr Usyk. Their contest had the WBO, WBA, IBF, WBC world titles at stake.

Usyk made his heavyweight debut in October 2019 when he defeated Chazz Witherspoon. He is currently the WBO's mandatory challenger to world champion Anthony Joshua. Gassiev is hoping to eventually get a rematch with Usyk in the heavyweight ranks.

[margaret thatcher]

This dude is lucky he's 26 and can d!ck around so much. Just start fighting bruh.

[oogiebe]

His HW debut is much like Fres Oquendo's title shot.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He literally hasn’t fought in 2 years.

[Blodhemn]

Murat Gassiev Could Potentially Make Heavyweight Debut

[Onetimeonly]

Murat Gassiev Could Potentially Make Heavyweight Debut

I'm sure it would potentially be a bout that I probably won't watch.

[joshj909]

Murat Gassiev Could Potentially Make Heavyweight Debut

I'm sure it would potentially be a bout that I probably won't watch.

I know they were trying to match him up with Dawejko before the injury so you'd think it might be someone of that calibre.

[Onetimeonly]

I'm sure it would potentially be a bout that I probably won't watch.

I know they were trying to match him up with Dawejko before the injury so you'd think it might be someone of that calibre.

Less than that now. Tonight navarette is fighting a journeyman.

[Bobo Balde]

This dude is lucky he's 26 and can d!ck around so much. Just start fighting bruh.

That's just his listed age. He's much older than that.

[margaret thatcher]

This dude is lucky he's 26 and can d!ck around so much. Just start fighting bruh.

That's just his listed age. He's much older than that.

How old bruh?

[Bobo Balde]

That's just his listed age. He's much older than that.

How old bruh?

Mid 30s.

[margaret thatcher]

How old bruh?

Mid 30s.

Why do ya think?

[gregregegg]

I belive he is young. He looks like a giant early developed kid. dosent look 30s to me. just like he was one of those true man children, like those kids that can buy beer without ID at 14, but grown up a bit.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Murat Gassiev May Return on November Date in Russia

Former unified cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev may return to the ring for a comeback fight in November in Russia. TASS was informed about this possibility by the general secretary of the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev.

"Murat's promoter and manager are also engaged in the conversation [on this scenario], but there is a proposal to hold a fight in early November in Russia. We are now considering it," said Kremlev.

Gassiev (26-1, 19 KOs) has been out of the ring for over two years.

The last time Gassiev saw action, was when he lost a twelve round decision to Oleksandr Usyk in a full cruiserweight unification in July of 2018. Their bout was the final round of the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament.

To get to the finals, Gassiev scored knockout wins over Yuniel Dorticos and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

After suffering his first career defeat, Gassiev made a career decision to make the jump in weight to the heavyweight division.

Since then, the Russian puncher has not entered the ring due to injuries, as well as problems with the organization of his training camp.

He was scheduled several times to make his heavyweight debut, but the contest was always being pushed back for one reason or another. During this period of time, Gassiev was working with Matchroom Sport and DAZN.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He's lucky he's still young and not in his 30's..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Murat Gassiev's Return To Be Announced in Coming Weeks

Former WBA, IBF cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev will have his first fight after returning to the ring in Russia in late fall. The organizers of the fight informed TASS about this fact.

Former world boxing champion Gassiev may make his heavyweight debut in Sochi in the fall

"Murat's fight will take place in Russia. This will be announced before October 1," the agency's source said.

Earlier, the general secretary of the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, said that the fight could take place in November in Russia.

Gassiev, who is trained by Abel Sanchez of Big Bear, has been out of the ring for over two years.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Would have been interesting to see Gassiev vs. Briedis..

[Enlightened-One]

I’m guessing that Gassiev would have gained quite a bit of weight, because when he eventually makes his debut at heavyweight, he would have been inactive for roughly 2½ years.

And Abel Sanchez has strongly eluded to Gassiev’s monumental struggles to make the 200lbs cruiserweight limit.

So he’s had a long time to physically acclimatise to his new heavyweight habitat.

I feel that Gassiev might weigh at least 230lbs for his next outing, because his come-forward aggressive fighting style relies on a combination of his physical strength and power to overwhelm his opponents.

[margaret thatcher]

maybe he's been out so he can ped up better

he was already built a bit like a tank at cruiser so can probably size up pretty decently for hw, though he'll always be on the shorter size for height (he's actually shorter than usyk and dort, not a legit 6'3.5) and reach. though he's more of a compact hooker and body puncher anyway, his punches are very nice in that regard

[Ruthless-RKO]

Murat Gassiev Vs. Kevin Johnson On October 31?

According to a piece by Russian boxing writer Igorek Osetinskii, former cruiserweight champ Murat Gassiev will face Kevin Johnson on October 31 in Sochi. Although no news of this fight has been confirmed via U.S media, there is a poster accompanying Osetinskii’s piece and it seems the fight, for the WBA international heavyweight title, is set.

And what an interesting match-up this is. Gassiev, last seen losing to Oleksandr Usyk in the final of The WBSS, this way back in June of 2018, has been out of action and he has also suffered one or two injuries. A superb fighter at 200 pounds, Gassiev is of course a good deal younger than “Kingpin.” But who wins this fight? In his last fight, on August 22, Johnson, who has been around seemingly forever, made mincemeat out of another former cruiserweight champ who was trying his hand up at heavyweight, as the 41 year old stopped Yoan Pablo Hernandez in seven rounds.

This was Johnson’s best showing in some time, and he did look to have the eye of the tiger back in improving to 34-17-1(18). Kindly speaking to this writer the day after the big win in Germany, Johnson said the victory would “open lots of doors.” Johnson also said he aimed to fight twice more this year. Who knows, if Johnson can do a similar job on Gassiev as he did on Hernandez, he might wind up getting some kind of huge fight before too long. Johnson is indeed no fighter to sleep on – as Hernandez found out to his cost.

Of course, a fit and ready Gassiev, 26-1(19) is a different animal to Hernandez. Gassiev at his best is a pure pressure fighter, one who also has fine skills and genuine toughness. No doubt, Gassiev, still only 26 years of age, will enter the ring as the favorite to win. But will Gassiev be at his best on October 31? Who would you rather be in this particular fight – the active, uninjured heavyweight veteran who knows oh, so well how to take care of himself in the ring, or the younger, perhaps stronger but inactive and somewhat injury-prone former cruiserweight?

A most intriguing fight, if not only because of Johnson’s last performance.

The final word regarding this article goes to Johnson, who was kind enough to shoot me back: “I will take him apart……slowly.”

Look for a good fight.

[DrDuke]

A decent matchup after a 2-year layoff. Johnson goes out of his shell from time to time, but he probably won't against such opponent as Gassiev.

[Enlightened-One]

Apart from Murat Gassiev ridding himself of some ring rust, by facing a poor over-the-hill journeyman that has only won six bouts over the last seven years, losing fouteen times over the same timeframe, won't achieve anything.

[alex.ua]

Yep, just a televised sparring.

[candyslim]

Disappointing. Kingpin doesn't offer much these days. Now Gassiev vs Dawejko would have been a good fight and a very tough test for the debutant. I'd like to have seen that.

Gassiev would have been a firm favourite but Joey is tough and capable and would show a lot more ambition and intent than Johnson will.