Murat Gassiev produced a surprising knockout of Kubrat Pulev to say the WBA ‘common’ heavyweight title in Dubai.
Gassiev landed a clear left hook to ground Pulev and finish the competition within the sixth spherical, along with his opponent unable to beat the rely as he tried to stumble to his toes.
Pulev isn’t any stranger to British boxing followers, having been overwhelmed by Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
At 44 years outdated, his conflict with Gassiev was arguably a final roll of the cube, however he got here up quick.
Along with his eye-catching victory, Gassiev may now earn a full world title shot with the WBA in opposition to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, who has held the WBA ‘tremendous’ belt since his first victory over Joshua in 2021.
Gassiev, a former cruiserweight world champion, has met Usyk as soon as earlier than at cruiserweight, with Usyk successful by unanimous resolution.
Britain’s red-hot prospect Moses Itauma can also be mendacity in await Gassiev, with the WBA having acknowledged earlier than the combat that the winner of Pulev-Gassiev should combat Itauma subsequent.
Pulev was initially ordered to make a compulsory WBA title defence in opposition to Itauma, however the Bulgarian’s group had plans already in place for the combat in opposition to Russia’s Gassiev.
Itauma places his 13-fight unbeaten report on the road on January 24 when he faces American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.
