Murat Gassiev vs. Tony Yoka - July 11, 2026

[londonwar]

Two of the dodgiest fighters meet.
Maybe.

If it does happen I'm going for a thoroughly disputed draw, an early and disputed stoppage, or a disc or injury.

Yoka may get ko'd from an invisible punch in round one. Gassiev may do nothing and win a decision.

Either way someone will fail a dope test

[Ruthless-RKO]

Murat Gassiev, realigning focus from Michael Hunter to Tony Yoka, aiming for undisputed

Murat Gassiev, preparing for his July 11 bout with Tony Yoka, is in the midst of a long-term plan to take over the heavyweight division.

It's a plan that involves watching what he eats.

The former cruiserweight titlist, and current WBA ‘regular’ beltholder at heavyweight, doesn’t have a weight limit to worry about these days but the 32-year-old Russian, thanks to his strength and conditioning coach Ronald Basiev, is ensuring that his weight remains close to his fighting best throughout camp.

Gassiev, 32, weighed a little over 230lbs for his title-winning victory over Kubrat Pulev in December. Though he did gain some in the aftermath, he is already down to a similar weight for this camp and the plan, according to head coach Anton Kadushin, is to stay there.

"I believe he has not yet fully adapted to the divsion, but he is on the right path and is highly motivated to establish himself among the elite heavyweights," Kadushin said.

“Murat knows exactly what he can and cannot eat, and he certainly knows how many pies he is allowed! His nutritional discipline is excellent.”

Gassiev, 33-2 (26 KOs), had been expecting to fight Michael Hunter before Yoka, the 2016 Olympic champion who recently missed out on a WBC eliminator when Lawrence Okolie failed a drug test, stepped in to face the Russian at Moscow’s VTB Arena. Though the change in opponent triggered a change in sparring partners, the camp are not necessarily expecting a more difficult fight.

“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous,” Kadushin said. “He is simply different stylistically. In my opinion, Hunter is the more experienced professional, while Yoka brings a tremendous Olympic background and greater physical size.”

Gassiev, who in his final bout as a cruiserweight lost widely to Oleksandr Usyk in 2018, has won seven of eight since moving up. His only loss in the banner division came to Otto Wallin, on a split decision over 12 rounds, in 2023.

Plans are being put in place to ensure that Gassiev, should he go the full championship distance again, remains strong throughout. Camp began with altitude training in Terskol and Kislovodsk before, with stamina levels reset, the focus turned to enhancing Gassiev’s skillset with Yoka’s own toolbox in mind.

“At this stage we are focused on technical and tactical preparation, improving the quality of Murat’s boxing. We are also spending a lot of time working on mentality and fighting mindset,” Kadushin said.

Beating Yoka is the immediate focus. But the long-term goal remains the same.

"To become the undisputed champion."

[joshj909]

"I believe he has not yet fully adapted to the division."

After 6 years, a natural 230 pounder has not adapted to a division where the minimum weight limit is 200 pounds. His weight has not changed, nor has his appearance in those 6 years. What does he expect to change going forwards?

[PRINCEKOOL]

This is a great fight for Tony Yoka 'stylistically, he should at least be able to nullify Murat Gassiev with his boxing ability while fighting a big man styled super heavyweight fight'.

Note: Kubret Pulev even miles outside of his peak, and basically semi-retired 'in my opinion was still in the fight vs. Gassiev, before Murat Gassiev was able to brutally and abruptly win the fight with his power'.

Although Murat Gassiev's does have solid boxing fundamentals, and power 'I think as a heavyweight those attributes have been overrated. Tony Yoka really should be able to withstand his power, and negate his boxing ability as a genuine Super Heavyweight'.

To conclude: It is actually a great fight for both fighters 'as they both have something to gain from a potential win. And if Tony Yoka wins the WBA world title. Mega fights vs. Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma are there to be made'.

I personally think Tony Yoka would have been a ideal fight for Anthony Joshua's comeback fight 'both from a stylistic perspective, in terms of preparing Joshua for future heavyweight fights. And definitively in terms of its overall marketability, there is a lot a boxing promoter could have done with that fight. Olympic Champion vs. Olympic Champion' etc.

[joshj909]

This is a great fight for Tony Yoka 'stylistically, he should at least be able to nullify Murat Gassiev with his boxing ability while fighting a big man styled super heavyweight fight'.

Note: Kubret Pulev even miles outside of his peak, and basically semi-retired 'in my opinion was still in the fight vs. Gassiev, before Murat Gassiev was able to brutally and abruptly win the fight with his power'.

Although Murat Gassiev's does have solid boxing fundamentals, and power 'I think as a heavyweight those attributes have been overrated. Tony Yoka really should be able to withstand his power, and negate his boxing ability as a genuine Super Heavyweight'.

To conclude: It is actually a great fight for both fighters 'as they both have something to gain from a potential win. And if Tony Yoka wins the WBA world title. Mega fights vs. Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma are there to be made'.

I personally think Tony Yoka would have been a ideal fight for Anthony Joshua's comeback fight 'both from a stylistic perspective, in terms of preparing Joshua for future heavyweight fights. And definitively in terms of its overall marketability, there is a lot a boxing promoter could have done with that fight. Olympic Champion vs. Olympic Champion' etc.

Agree entirely. Gassiev's biggest mistake has been moving up to heavyweight. He could've done a hell of s lot better at Cruiserweight if he stayed there.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Announced: Former Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce returns against unbeaten Artem Suslenkov on the undercard of Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka on July 11th in Moscow.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Britain's Joe Joyce to fight unbeaten heavyweight Artem Suslenkov on undercard of Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka on July 11

Joe Joyce, 40, will make return to ring against unbeaten Artem Suslenkov on Saturday July 11; Murat Gassiev defends WBA regular heavyweight title against Tony Yoka aiming to retain his mandatory position to Oleksandr Usyk; Yoka returns to action after cancellation of Lawrence Okolie fight

Britain's Joe Joyce will face unbeaten Russian heavyweight Artem Suslenkov on the undercard of Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka on Saturday July 11 in Moscow, it has been confirmed.

Joyce, who is now 40 years old, last fought in April 2025 when he lost to Croatian Filip Hrgovic by unanimous decision for the vacant WBO international heavyweight title.

Previous to that, Joyce lost an all-British contest against Derek Chisora at London's 02 arena in July 2024.

A 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist for Team GB, Joyce's professional boxing record since turning pro in 2017 reads 16 wins, four losses - with 15 victories by knockout.

"I've spent the last year preparing, training and wanting to be back in the ring," Joyce said.

"Thank you to IBA Pro for the opportunity. My team and I are locked in and Moscow should get ready for a big performance."

Suslenkov, 30, has an unblemished professional record of 14 victories - nine by knockout - last fighting in April of this year against Kazakh-German boxer Artur Mann, winning by knockout in the third round.

The Russian holds the WBA continental gold heavyweight title and IBF European heavyweight title and is considered one of the division's most dangerous rising contenders.

"Joyce is a powerful opponent with strong technique and vast experience," Suslenkov said.

"This is a serious challenge. I feel both excitement and full focus. Meticulous preparation and the right tactics to neutralise his strengths will be crucial.

"This is a chance to show my level and give the fans something to cheer about."

On the same July date, Gassiev will defend his WBA heavyweight title against Yoka in Moscow.

WBA regular champion Gassiev goes in search of a 34th professional victory as he looks to preserve his position as the mandatory challenger to Super champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Under WBA rules, the regular champion is treated as the automatic No 1 contender to the super title.

Unbeaten unified heavyweight champion Usyk is currently obliged to defend his WBA belt against Gassiev after completing a mandatory defence of his WBC title against Agit Kabayel.

If Usyk vacates the WBA title, Gassiev could either be elevated to full champion or ordered to fight for the vacant belt.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joyce set for return in Moscow against Suslenkov

Britain's Joe Joyce will return to the ring for the first time in more than a year when he challenges undefeated Russian heavyweight Artem Suslenkov for the WBA Continental title in Moscow on 11 July.

Joyce, 40, has been out of action since he lost to Filip Hrgovic by unanimous decision for the vacant WBO international heavyweight title in April 2025.

The 2016 Olympic silver medallist has lost four of his past five fights, with his last victory coming against Kash Ali in March 2024.

After the Hrgovic defeat, Joyce's promoter allegedly said he needed to have a "real serious think about the future".

But despite the setbacks, Joyce - who has a professional record of 16 wins and four losses - says he has spent the past 12 months "preparing, training and wanting to be back in the ring".

"I'm excited for the opportunity to travel to Russia and challenge for the WBA Continental heavyweight title on July 11," added Joyce.

"Thank you to IBA Pro for the opportunity. My team and I are locked in and Moscow should get ready for a big performance."

Suslenkov, 30, comes into the fight with a perfect record from his 14 professional fights, with nine of his victories coming by way of knockout.

The Volgograd-born heavyweight last fought in April when he successfully defended his WBA Continental title against Artur Mann.

The stoppage victory moved Suslenkov into the WBA's top 10 heavyweight rankings for the first time.

"Joyce is a powerful opponent with strong technique and vast experience. This is a serious challenge," said Suslenkov. "I feel both excitement and full focus.

"This is a chance to show my level and give the fans something to cheer about."

The IBA Pro 19 card will be headlined by Murat Gassiev's defence of his WBA heavyweight title against Tony Yoka.

[RuudOEN84]

This disappeared from the DAZN schedule...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tony Yoka's long road to Russia ... via Swindon

It is not often you see Olympic champions in bingo halls in Swindon, but as it turns out, you can still find them.

After three straight defeats across 2022 and 2023, it is not unfair to say that Tony Yoka’s career was on life support.

The man who claimed gold at Rio 2016 had lost on points to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and, most damaging of all, Ryad Merhy. "At that point," he remembers in conversation with The Ring.

"I knew I had to stop completely, or change everything."

Yoka, now 34, chose the latter but his route back towards the top of the heavyweight division would not be ordinary for the Parisian known as "The Artist."

After losing to Merhy at Roland Garros in December 2023, he would return to the ring eight months later at London’s Tolworth Recreation Centre over eight rounds. He beat Amine Boucetta in the fourth.

Then, just two months later, came his six-round run-out at Mecca Bingo Hall in Wiltshire's former farming town of Swindon. Given the card featured fighters mainly the local area, the 6-foot-7 Frenchman stood out like a sore thumb. He beat Nottingham journeyman Lamah Griggs (3-13-1) inside five minutes.

"At that time I just needed to have the feeling of loving this sport again," he explains. "I needed to go back to basics, back to where people are just fighting. No cameras, people are still smoking inside, it felt like going back to the good old days and I needed that.

"I had been fighting in places like that many years before I was Olympic champion so it wasn’t new to me. It’s not something I don’t know. I had 120 fights as an amateur all around the world so it felt like going back to my roots.

"After the first one, then the one in Swindon I was like, 'OK, I’m back at it, I’m good now.' Then I knew I could go back up. Sometimes you have to take a few steps back to continue."

After those two victories in obscure English venues, Yoka returned to Paris for a 10-rounder against undefeated Arslan Yallyev in May last year and won on points. His instincts were correct — Yoka was back in business.

A quick blow-out of Patrick Korte in Lagos, Nigeria was to follow before he was scheduled to face Lawrence Okolie, who was the WBC's No. 1 contender at the time.

Victory over the Englishman in the French capital on April 25 would have probably left him just one win away from a shot at the world heavyweight title but he never got that chance. Instead, deep into fight week, Yoka was told that there would be no fight as Okolie had failed a VADA test.

"Camp had been perfect and me, my team, everybody was very confident about that fight," he says. "Then, three days before at 7am in the morning, my manager called me, said Okolie had failed a drugs test and the fight was off.

"It was supposed to be a big night for me. Also, I don't get a paycheck every month, I only get paid when I fight. Camp had cost me a lot of money then the fight got canceled and I got nothing.

"The days after I heard were crazy, I won't lie. I couldn't get out of bed for like 48 hours. It wasn't even about the money but the position it would have got me. After rebuilding in those small fights, I felt like I was that close to the top again and they took it from me."

The irony was that Yoka himself has fallen foul of anti-doping measures himself as, in 2018, he was handed a one-year ban by the French anti-doping agency for failing to give the required sample three times in one year.

This time, Okolie insisted he was not guilty of any wrongdoing, claiming that the failed test resulted from medical treatment on an elbow injury. Either way, Yoka had no fight and allegedly, the show’s promoter, was left “very disappointed."

When asked if he had any sympathy for Okolie, Yoka said: "Pardon my French, but f—k him. Okay? We signed up for VADA for this fight and we know they are coming to test us. I was telling them everything I was taking, even protein shakes. How can you forget to tell them about this treatment? I was tested three times in that camp and made sure they knew about everything."

Although that week exposed Yoka to one of boxing's worst sides, the beauty of this sport is that when one door closes, it is not uncommon for another to open. For him, that meant the offer to face Murat Gassiev for his secondary WBA heavyweight belt. The pair will meet at Moscow's VTB Arena on July 11.

"I had those 48 hours in my room but then I got back to it," he says.

"That Saturday night when I was supposed to be in the ring fighting Okolie, I was in the gym training. It means I'm ready for Gassiev now. I will be even better in this fight because I have the Okolie camp and now this one.

"I'm hungrier than ever. It has been a few years and I have gone a long route but I am back at it, back at my best level and in the best shape of my life. I'm 34 now and I'm ready."