Gassiev (33-2, 26 KOs) captured the WBA title in December with a sixth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev and will now make the first defense of his belt against an opponent who is unranked by all four major sanctioning bodies.
“I was fully prepared and ready for Tony Yoka, but boxing is unpredictable, and champions must adapt,” Gassiev said.
“Peter Kadiru is a big, strong, experienced fighter with a solid amateur pedigree and real power. Fighting at home in Moscow in front of my Russian fans for my first defense is special. I will be ready on July 11, and I intend to keep the WBA World Heavyweight Title in Russia.”
Kadiru enters the contest riding a 10-fight winning streak after outpointing Senad Gashi in May. However, the Hamburg native has yet to defeat a world-level heavyweight and has never appeared in the top 15 rankings of the WBA, WBC, IBF or WBO.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to travel to Russia and challenge for the WBA Heavyweight World Title on July 11,” Kadiru said.
“This is my moment. My team and I are locked in, and Moscow should get ready for a big performance.”
The matchup also highlights the questions surrounding Gassiev’s standing in the heavyweight division. The Russian established himself as one of boxing’s best cruiserweights, defeating Denis Lebedev, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Yuniel Dorticos before losing to Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed championship fight in 2018.
His heavyweight resume has been far less convincing. Gassiev’s only notable test ended in a split-decision defeat to Otto Wallin in 2023, while victories over Kem Ljungquist, Jeremiah Milton and the 44-year-old Pulev helped him secure the WBA belt.
Gassiev’s first title defense will come against an unranked late replacement, making it one of the more unusual heavyweight championship fights of the year.
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