BoxRec

After Murat Gassiev’s impressive victory over Kubrat Pulev, a fight against Moses Itauma would be very interesting and meaningful.

Gassiev has proven that he is still a serious force in the heavyweight division, with experience at the highest level and strong power. Itauma, on the other hand, is one of the most exciting young prospects in boxing, with speed, skills, and a lot of hype behind him.

This matchup would be a classic clash of experience vs youth.
For Itauma, it would be a huge step up and a real test of his readiness for the elite level.
For Gassiev, it would be a chance to beat a highly rated prospect and push himself back into world title contention.

What do you think? Is this the right next fight for both fighters?

Otto Wallin has proven that Gassiev is not a serious force at heavyweight

Gassiev's KO punch was impressive but the rest of his effort wasn't. Itauma will bomb him out early.

joshj909 wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025, 11:19 Otto Wallin has proven that Gassiev is not a serious force at heavyweight

Gassieve was poor that night. He was also weirdly 15 lbs lighter than he really should have been. I think that loss is a big warning light, but one bad night isn’t enough to right someone off entirely. (Although he looked poor vs pulev too)…

I think gassieve struggles with boxers. But he is tough, strong, and seems fit enough.

I don’t know if I would call him a force… but he is fringe top 10.

gregregegg wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025, 16:07

joshj909 wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025, 11:19 Otto Wallin has proven that Gassiev is not a serious force at heavyweight

Gassieve was poor that night. He was also weirdly 15 lbs lighter than he really should have been. I think that loss is a big warning light, but one bad night isn’t enough to right someone off entirely. (Although he looked poor vs pulev too)…

I think gassieve struggles with boxers. But he is tough, strong, and seems fit enough.

I don’t know if I would call him a force… but he is fringe top 10.

The only top 25 guy he's faced at heavyweight he's lost to. He needs to do more than beat 44 year old Pulev to be considered a fringe top 10 heavyweight for me. He definitely has the potential based on his cruiserweight career but he's not shown that at heavyweight.

Sure.

I’d love it Moses fought 5-6 times in 2026

I believe that experiencing loss is a significant red flag, but having one poor night isn’t sufficient to completely dismiss someone retro bowl

Gassiev too experienced, don't let the Otto Wallin performance fool you

1447617 wrote: ↑07 Apr 2026, 12:53 Gassiev too experienced, don't let the Otto Wallin performance fool you

The size, speed and activity difference would be too much. Gassiev was doing nothing until he caught Pulev and did nothing against Wallin. He's experienced and hits hard but if he doesn't use his experience or throw punches then it won't bother Itauma who will tee off on him with big shots.

I can't see Gassiev making it past the 4th even while spending the entire fight in complete survival mode.

It’s the perfect next fight for Moses if they back him.

If in shape:

Gassieve would be a massive step up in offensive threat, while still not being an elite offencive threat, perfect to make Moses have to think about what’s coming back without a likely chance of getting shocked by to big a step up.

Gassiev is durable (as far as I know never hurt? Never stopped)

“World title” (not real obviously, but you can trick the casuals, like tank did not so long ago)

Hope this happens.

Crazy that Gassiev is only 32. He's been around for soooo long.

lookingaround87 wrote: ↑07 Apr 2026, 20:34 Crazy that Gassiev is only 32. He's been around for soooo long.

He does look like the type of guy that at 12 years old had a beard, drove a car, drank strait vodka and impregnated his 18 year old girlfriend… then beat up her dad when he said he didn’t approve…