WBA heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) has chosen to defend his belt against #12 Murat Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs) on December 12 in Dubai, UAE.
The WBA had ordered Pulev, 44, to defend against #1 Moses Itauma after he failed to put a fight together with #2 Michael Hunter. However, Pulev and his team decided instead to face 14-year-old pro Gassiev in a fight that should be entertaining for as long as it lasts.
Pulev defeated Mamoud Charr on December 7, 2024, by a 12-round unanimous decision to become the new belt-holder.
“I respect Murat Gassiev – he is a powerful and dangerous opponent – but I am ready, focused, and eager to give fans a great fight. I’m grateful to the IBA and Epic Sports for making this happen and can’t wait to step back into the ring,” said Pulev.
You ca’t rule out a win for Gassive because Pulev is slow and is up there in age. Although Gassiev is slow, he’s still a huge puncher, and that’s all it’ll take to defeat what’s left of Pulev.
The former IBF cruiserweight champion Gassiev was one of the top fighters in that weight class from 2016 to 2018. A loss to Oleksandr Usyk changed Murat’s career path. He gave up on the cruiserweight division and moved up to heavyweight. He hasn’t been the same fighter since his move up in weight.
Gassiev lost to Otto Wallin by a 12-round split decision on September 30, 2023. Losing to Wallin put things in perspective, showing Gassiev’s level. He did bounce back from that loss, defeating Kem Ljungquist and Jeremiah Milton. Those fighters are top-tier.
If Gassiev can defeat Pulev, he’ll revitalize his career and put himself in position for a lucrative rematch against Usyk or a fight against Moses Itauma. Obviously, the bigger payday would be against Usyk for all his belts. It’s unlikely that he’ll choose to face Gassiev due to the lack of interest fans would have in this fight.
How to Watch Pulev vs Gassiev
Broadcast details are still being finalised at the time of writing. Streaming and TV info will be confirmed closer to fight week. Expect international coverage due to the WBA title on the line.
Date: Friday, December 12
Start time: TBA USA / TBA UK
Venue: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Full IBA Pro 13 Fight Card (So Far)
- Kubrat Pulev vs Murat Gassiev, WBA heavyweight world title
- Bakhodur Usmonov vs Maxi Hughes, WBA lightweight title eliminator
- Yoel Finol vs Shakhobidin Zoirov 2, IBA Pro world bantamweight title
- Khariton Agrba vs Nerii Muñoz 2, WBA super-lightweight title eliminator
- Vadim Musaev vs Tulani Mbenge, welterweights
Last Updated on 12/09/2025
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