BoxRec

Murat Gassiev-Sefer Seferi Set, Kevin Johnson Withdraws

Veteran heavyweight Kevin Johnson has refused to move forward with the planned fight against Murat Gassiev on October 31 in Sochi.

According to Gassiev's team, the boxer will now face Sefer Seferi.

"Johnson refused, the new rival is Sefer Seferi," the team's source told tass. "Johnson explained the refusal, saying that there was a problem with the passport. According to him, the passport had expired, but he does not have enough time to make a new one."

The fight will be the debut for Gassiev in the heavyweight division. Seferi, 41, who has citizenship of North Macedonia and Albania, has 24 wins, three losses and a draw.

A former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight champion, the 27-year-old Gassiev has 26 wins (19 by KO) and one defeat.

The 41-year-old Seferi has a record of 35 wins (19 by knockout), 17 defeats and one draw.

Gassiev has been away from the ring for over two years. His last fight came in 2018, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Oleksandr Usyk in the final bout of the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament.

Afterwards, Gassiev made it clear that he was likely moving up to the heavyweight division. Due to injuries, scheduling issues and the coronavirus pandemic, the heavyweight debut was continuously pushed back to a later date.

Ya kidding. all they had to do was find 1 heavyweight. instead we have, Gassiev, proven unified cruiser weight champ, now facing the ever dangerous, boxrec 65th ranked cruiser. who is actualy quite a small cruiser, and not good at all.
worth the wait...

gregregegg wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 03:38 Ya kidding. all they had to do was find 1 heavyweight. instead we have, Gassiev, proven unified cruiser weight champ, now facing the ever dangerous, boxrec 65th ranked cruiser. who is actualy quite a small cruiser, and not good at all.
worth the wait...

I don't know how this industry survives with crap like this.

Johnson matchup provided at least a tiny piece of an interest, but this...

Murat Gassiev is making his heavyweight debut by facing a journeyman cruiserweight that is on the cusp of turning 42 years of age, with Seferi only scoring one victory within the last 32 months (against an opponent that had failed to win 13 of his 23 bouts).

I won’t be watching this fight. And I suspect that’ll be the case for everyone else that frequents this forum.

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 06:45 I won’t be watching this fight. And I suspect that’ll be the case for everyone else that frequents this forum.

Probably won't be on TV in the UK.. Likely DAZN in the US.

walk in the park for gassiev .

How this clown calls himself " real deal " is a joke .

The only thing real about seferi is that he is really crap

really top crusier fighter , bigger than you think,i expect a ko here long time out ,his fight with Dorticos had to be one of my all time favourite fights

brilo33 wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 15:15 really top crusier fighter , bigger than you think,i expect a ko here long time out ,his fight with Dorticos had to be one of my all time favourite fights

Yeh. Shouldn’t call this a HW debut.

He put on a good boxing display vs Dort, fought like a different fighter and outboxed handily

Now get back in the ring ffs, I don't even care that it's Seferi, just get a fight for some momentum

Kudos to Seferi for taking this beating.

Seferi out after a positive Covid test, Seferi steps in!

chinarich wrote: ↑19 Oct 2020, 15:27 Seferi out after a positive Covid test, Seferi steps in!

Can’t make this stuff up. Just gna change the first name.

At this point why? He is the third best cruiser in albania... he is the second best cruiser in his family. he is 43. piss take.

Murat Gassiev Gets New Opponent, Sefer Seferi Out With COVID-19

The upcoming opponent of the former cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev has been replaced for the second time in a week - and now he will face Albanian Nuri Seferi. The organizers of the fight informed TASS about the ongoing situation.

The fight will take place on October 31 in Sochi. Earlier, Gassiev's opponents were to be Kevin Johnson and Sefer Seferi.

Johnson withdrew from the fight after citing issues with his passport, while Sefer Seferi has apparently tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Sefer Seferi has a coronavirus, he should be in quarantine. The opponent will be the boxer's brother, Nuri Seferi," the agency's source said.

The former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight champion, 27-year-old Gassiev, has a record with 26 wins (19 by KO) and one defeat.

The 43-year-old Seferi has a record of 41 wins (23 by knockout), 9 defeats.

Nuri Seferi is known for having a good chin, with only one stoppage defeat in his 9 losses - which took place in 2001 in his fourth pro fight.

Gassiev has been out of the ring for over two years, with his last fight being a twelve round decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk in July 2018. 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 recently parted ways with his promotional team - citing his inactivity issues.

In the fight with Seferi, Gassiev will finally make his heavyweight debut.

Seferi bros' nicknames are hilarious. Sefer got "Real Deal". Nuri's one is "Albanian Tyson". Do they have a third brother? If they do, what's his nickname? The Lion? The Albanian Lewis? Or maybe Big Albanian Daddy? Also, it's no less hilarious that the Albanian Tyson has 23 KOs out of 41 wins.

This is a terrible opponent for Gassiev.

Fight Week

His heavyweight debut is with a cruiserweight.

Betro09 wrote: ↑26 Oct 2020, 15:59 His heavyweight debut is with a cruiserweight.

Can’t make it up..

Weights: Murat Gassiev 230.6-Pounds, Nuri Seferi 225.1

Gassiev weighed in at a solid 230.6 pounds.

Nuri “The Albanian Tyson” Seferi (41-9, 23 KOs) weighed a shade lighter at 225.1 Pounds.

Has this happened?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑31 Oct 2020, 16:37 Has this happened?

It'll start in few minutes.

Any stream?

First round KO. Gassiev knocked Seferi out with the first big punch thrown.