Heavyweight Murat Gassiev Needs to Make a Move Soon
Boxing careers change like the weather. One minute a fighter’s career is hot, the next minute it’s Antarctica cold. This seems to be happening to former unified cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev (28-1, 21KO). His struggles continue since becoming a heavyweight.
The Russian native’s cruiserweight career was on fire as he fought up the rankings and defeated fellow countryman Denis Lebedev for the IBF title in 2016. He then wrestled the WBA Super title away from hard-punching Cuban Yuniel Dorticos in the World Boxing Super Series in 2018.
In the WBSS finals, Gassiev was relieved of both belts in the undisputed showdown against current unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. In 2019, following that devastating defeat, he inked a deal with Matchroom Boxing looking to make a splash in the heavyweight division.
CAN GASSIEV GET BACK ON TRACK?
The former unified champion was out of the ring from 2018 until 2020 due to injuries before making his heavyweight debut. Moreover, he has not been in the ring since destroying Michael Wallisch in four quick rounds back in July 2021.
Earlier in the year, Gassiev reportedly turned down the IBF title eliminator against Filip Hrgovic. He has time to get things back on track as the heavyweight division has not had a lot of moving pieces on the chessboard.
As of this writing, no official announcement of his return has been made. Gassiev needs to return to the ring soon while fans are waiting for the rematch between former unified champion Anthony Joshua and Usyk. Also, with so-called retired WBC champion Tyson Fury still holding the belt, there is still an opening for him to make a move.
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By: Garrisson Bland
