Kadiru (23-2, 13 KOs) accepted the fight on short notice after Tony Yoka withdrew because of injury, giving the German his first opportunity to compete for a heavyweight world title.
Gassiev immediately took control by applying constant pressure and forcing exchanges at close range. Although Kadiru enjoyed advantages in height and reach, he struggled to keep the champion at the end of his jab as Gassiev repeatedly cut off the ring and landed heavy hooks to the body and head.
The challenger had his best moments during the fourth round after briefly switching to the southpaw stance, but Gassiev regained control in the fifth by increasing his work rate and backing Kadiru toward the ropes with sustained pressure.
The end came early in the sixth round. Gassiev trapped Kadiru in a neutral corner and unleashed a series of unanswered punches. Seeing their fighter no longer defending himself effectively, Kadiru’s corner threw a white towel into the ring, prompting referee Gustavo Padilla to wave off the contest and award Gassiev a technical knockout victory.
The win keeps Gassiev in possession of one of boxing’s four recognized heavyweight world titles as he continues rebuilding the momentum that once made him one of the sport’s top cruiserweights. Since moving to heavyweight, the 31-year-old Russian has compiled an impressive run, highlighted by victories over Pulev and Kadiru while establishing himself among the division’s world champions.
In the co-feature, unbeaten Russian heavyweight Artem Suslenkov improved to 15-0 (10 KOs) by stopping former WBO interim champion Joe Joyce in the 11th round. The defeat was Joyce’s fifth in his last six fights and raised further questions about the future of the 40-year-old former title challenger.
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