Murat Gassiev Lists Potential Next Opponents in Pursuit of Title Unification

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WBA Heavyweight World Champion Murat Gassiev has issued a list of potential next opponents on the path towards his ultimate objective: unifying the heavyweight division.

BoxingScene's Lance Pugmire explains the ongoing situation with Noel Mikaelian accepting an offer to fight Jai Opetaia when his promoter Don King had arranged for him to face David Benavidez. Lance also shares his thoughts on William Zepeda's win over Lamont Roach Jr. and Raymond Muratalla's next move.

BoxingScene's Lance Pugmire explains the ongoing situation with Noel Mikaelian accepting an offer to fight Jai Opetaia when his promoter Don King had arranged for him to face David Benavidez. Lance also shares his thoughts on William Zepeda's win over Lamont Roach Jr. and Raymond Muratalla's next move.

Following his successful title defense against Peter Kadiru last month, “Iron” Gassiev, 34-2 (27 KOs), says he and his team are assessing a number of possible contenders and champions for their next move.

One intriguing possibility is a “Rocky IV” style showdown between Gassiev, from Vladikavkaz, Russia, and bold WBA No. 2-ranked American Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller.

“…With his profile, personality and heavyweight credentials, the ingredients are there for a major international event. Russia versus America. A destructive Russian puncher against a brash, confrontational American heavyweight.”

Another matchup the 32-year-old former unified cruiserweight champion mentions is a unification battle with WBC heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel.

“A potential clash with Agit Kabayel in Germany would bring together two of Europe's leading heavyweights in a major unification contest. Kabayel and his representatives have already expressed interest in the fight. Germany could provide the perfect stage for a European heavyweight blockbuster,” he adds. “…It would represent an opportunity to begin collecting the heavyweight belts.”

A third possibility Gassiev mentions is a meeting with two-time Olympic gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov, 17-0 (15 KOs).

Gassiev and the 6′ 7″ Uzbekistani southpaw Jalolov, ranked IBF 6 and WBO 7, would make for an all-Russian firefight between two of the former Soviet boxing system’s hardest punchers.

Another possibility mentioned for Gassiev is a “last chance” battle with popular, but ageing UK veteran Derek Chisora.

Gassiev’s promoter, Ivaylo Gotzev of EPIC Sports & Entertainment, says his fighter has several potentially lucrative and compelling matchups in a heavyweight division that is suddenly wide open and sorting out its new pecking order, post-Usyk.

“The heavyweight division has come alive again, and Murat is right in the middle of it,” said Gotzev. “Miller in America gives us USA versus Russia and a huge international storyline. Chisora in Britain gives us drama, history and potentially Derek's final opportunity to become heavyweight champion. Kabayel gives us a unification fight in Germany, while Jalolov presents another fascinating international matchup.

“We are looking carefully at every option and asking one question: which fight makes the most sporting and commercial sense for Murat and for heavyweight boxing?”

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Callum Simpson speaks ahead of his rematch with Troy Williamson this Saturday, reflecting on his first professional defeat, his decision to team up with Rob McCracken and his preparations for the rematch. Simpson also responds to Williamson's frustrations over the rematch clause and insists his rival should be grateful for the two biggest paydays of his career. He also discusses his mentality after losing for the first time, watching the stoppage back, moving forward with Rob McCracken and his ambitions of becoming a world champion.

Callum Walsh discusses his journey from Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym to Manny Pacquiao's new gym in Hollywood, his relationship with Dana White and his role in the rise of Zuffa Boxing.

Aaron McKenna looks back on his first trip to America, where he faced future world champion Devin Haney in the semi-finals of the Ringside World Championships in 2011.