Murat Gassiev defends his WBA heavyweight world title against Peter Kadiru in Russia on Saturday.
Gassiev (33-2, 26 KOs) face Kadiru (23-1, 13 KOs) at the VTB Arena in Moscow, with the clash broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
The Russian champion was scheduled to face Tony Yoka, but after the Frenchman withdrew with a back injury, Kadiru was drafted in at late notice.
Gassiev was upgraded to full WBA champion after Oleksandr Usyk opted to vacate his belt last month.
The 32-year-old had won the ‘regular’ title with a sixth round knockout of Kubrat Pulev in December, his third straight victory since defeat to Otto Wallin in 2023.
The challenger is not ranked in the top 15 by the WBA, but enhanced his credentials with a unanimous decision win over Senad Gashi in May.
The 29-year-old German has won nine on the bounce since a sole professional loss to Marcos Antonio Aumada in 2022.
Prediction: Gassiev can retain his title by stoppage.
Joyce returns
Joe Joyce looks to get back to winning ways when he faces unbeaten Russian Artem Suslenkov.
Former WBO interim heavyweight champion, Joyce (16-4, 15 KOs) has won just one of his last five bouts and heads into this clash off consecutive losses to Derek Chisora and Filip Hrgovic.
Defeat to Suslenkov (14-0, 9 KOs), who is undefeated in 14 fights, would surely spell the end of the Brit’s career.
Prediction: At 40-years-old and based on recent form, Joyce doesn’t have too much left in the tank, but the Olympic Silver medalist should have enough to squeeze out a points win.
Remaining Undercard
At heavyweight, Arslan Yallyev (17-1, 11 KOs) should get the better of Murad Khalidov (12-0, 6 KOs) on points.
David Dzukaev (11-0, 7 KOs) can remain unbeaten with a decision victory over Aleksei Egorov (13-3, 9 KOs) at cruiserweight.
Sharabutdin Ataev (9-0, 5 KOs) should see off former world champion, Jose Uzcategui (34-5, 29 KOs) over the distance in their light heavyweight meeting.
View this post on Instagram
Undefeated lightweight, Tamerlan Ozdoev (5-0, 3 KOs) can become the first man to stop Shivam Jangra (13-3-1, 8 KOs), while heavyweight prospect, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (6-0, 3 KOs) may need the distance to overcome Kevin Martinez (14-1, 10 KOs).
20-year-old bantamweight prospect, Vyacheslav Rogozin can make a successful professional bow by outpointing RV Deniega (12-3, 8 KOs).
