Murat Gassiev made it clear that a heavyweight unification fight is his top priority after stopping Peter Kadiru in six rounds on Saturday in Moscow. If that opportunity isn’t available, however, he has no problem sharing the ring with veteran contender Derek Chisora.
Chisora climbed into the ring following Gassiev’s victory, creating speculation that the two heavyweights could meet later this year. Asked about the possibility afterward, Gassiev said the matchup makes sense if the title picture remains tied up.
“If we can’t unify the belts in the near future, why not?” Gassiev said to the media. “Chisora and I have a good relationship. We’re friends. He’s a big name in boxing, and that fight would generate a lot of excitement. I’m sure it would be a very entertaining fight.”
Although Gassiev welcomed the idea, he emphasized that championship fights remain his priority as he begins his run in the heavyweight division.
“Unification fights are always the priority in professional boxing,” Gassiev said. “The champions have the belts, and that’s what every boxer is chasing. I held two belts at cruiserweight and fought for the undisputed championship. Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed then, but this is a new chapter, and I want to move toward unification fights.”
The 32-year-old acknowledged that Saturday’s bout with Kadiru was more difficult than he expected after going through multiple opponent changes during training camp.
“It was a tough fight. There’s nothing to hide,” Gassiev said. “But when you’re at this level, among the top heavyweights, there are no excuses. You have to be ready for everything. That’s professional boxing.”
Gassiev plans to take a short break before discussing his next move. If a fight with one of the heavyweight champions cannot be arranged, Chisora could emerge as a realistic option. The British veteran remains one of the division’s biggest attractions, and with both fighters expressing mutual respect, the matchup would likely generate considerable interest while Gassiev waits for an opportunity to pursue another world title.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/11 at 11:33 PM
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