Home Columns Murat Gassiev vs Peter Kadiru – Results & Post-Fight Report

Murat Gassiev vs Peter Kadiru – Results & Post-Fight Report

Gassiev dominates as Joyce suffers stoppage defeat

By
Max Jay Shears
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Murat Gassiev stopped Kadiru in the sixth round. Photo Credit: IBA
Murat Gassiev stopped Kadiru in the sixth round. Photo Credit: IBA

Murat Gassiev added to his impressive run of form at heavyweight as he beat Peter Kadiru in Moscow.

Kadiru was a late replacement opponent for Gassiev, who made no mistake over six rounds.

Gassiev came into tonight’s contest as a full heavyweight world champion with the World Boxing Association and made the first defence of his title.

He was previously the Regular WBA world champion, with Usyk the organisation’s ‘Super’ champion.

Murat Gassiev knocked out Kubrat Pulev in the sixth round in Dubai to become WBA 'regular' heavyweight champion Photo Credit: IBA Boxing
Murat Gassiev knocked out Kubrat Pulev in the sixth round in Dubai to become WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight champion Photo Credit: IBA Boxing

With the Ukrainian vacating all of his belts a couple of weeks ago, Gassiev was elevated to full world champion.

He faced an opponent with little time to prepare in the form of the German, who stepped in for Tony Yoka with around a week’s notice.

The Frenchman was forced to withdraw from the contest with a back injury he sustained in the latter stages of his camp.

From the off, Gassiev operated on another level to Kadiru. He pushed the German back onto the ropes and began to punish him. Much of the Russian’s output targeted Kadiru’s body in the hope of slowing his man down throughout the bout.

Albeit having stepped in on a few days’ notice, Kadiru offered very little threat to Gassiev over the contest and was bullied for six rounds, with the champion clearly winning every round of the fight prior to the stoppage.

In the third round, Gassiev really started to go through the motions, putting combinations of five or more shots together and brutally pummelling the body of his opponent, who had lost just once prior.

In the sixth round, he put together another onslaught of attacks that forced Kadiru’s corner to step in as they threw in the towel to allow the referee to end the bout.

Since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in 2018, the Russian has boxed at heavyweight and has lost just once in the sport’s blue riband division.

He was beaten by Otto Wallin via split decision three years ago but has turned his fortunes around well in his last few contests.

Now a full world champion, Gassiev will look to land a fight with one of the biggest names in the heavyweight division.

He immediately went face-to-face with Derek Chisora.

Chisora retired after his bout with Deontay Wilder in April but has already flirted with a return to the squared circle.

‘Del Boy’ may fancy his chances of winning a world title against Gassiev if he is granted a shot at the WBA title.

Gassiev’s name continues to be linked with Moses Itauma, with the pair set to fight last year before Kubrat Pulev got his shot at the Regular title.

Joe Joyce vs Artem Suslenkov

Unbeaten Russian heavyweight Artem Suslenkov extended his perfect record in what was a pretty flat co-main event.

He beat British heavyweight Joe Joyce, who started nicely and won the opening two rounds.

Joyce’s start impressed SugarHill Steward, who is now a key member of ‘The Juggernaut’s’ team.

After the first two rounds, Suslenkov began to showcase his natural ability as he picked Joyce apart.

He was clearly the faster fighter and began to catch the Brit with some heavy combinations.

Joyce appeared to be rocked in the fourth round, with Suslenkov landing a devastating left hook off the back of a nice right hand, but Joyce did well to stay on his feet.

The fight was tough to score, with neither man really taking it by the scruff of the neck, but the 11th round produced a decisive outcome.

Suslenkov continued to push forward and landed a nice set of shots before Joe Joyce put his right hand up towards the referee to signal his retirement from the contest.

The referee took some time to step in as the Russian unleashed another onslaught of punches before the pair were separated and the unbeaten 30-year-old was announced the winner via 11th-round technical stoppage.

Remaining Undercard

Pavel Sosulin and Eddy Colmenares went to war over eight rounds, with the Russian scoring the victory, while Sharabutdin Ataev picked up a crucial win over Jose Uzcategui.

 

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Vyacheslav Rogozin had a professional debut to remember as he dominated RV Deniega over six rounds.

Arslan Yalliyev overwhelmed Murad Khalidov and forced a standing stoppage in the third round.

David Dzukaev outlasted Alexey Egorov to score a hard-earned victory.

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