Murat Gassiev’s promotional team have questioned whether heavyweight ‘Golden Boy’ Moses Itauma is genuinely interested in a WBA title fight.
The WBA have ordered Itauma to fight the winner of this month’s Kubrat Paul vs Murat Gassiev fight, with the Russian emerging victorious as the new WBA ‘regular’ champion following a sixth-round knockout win at the IBA Pro 13 event in Dubai.
Itauma, who is preparing for his next fight against Jermaine Franklin in Manchester on January 24, has also been ordered to face fellow Brit Lawrence Okolie in a WBC final eliminator, and the unbeaten 20-year-old is yet to indicate his preferred option.
Al Siesta, the IBA pro promoter who co-promotes Gassiev, told Sky Sports: “Going into the [WBA Heavyweight title] fight with Kubrat Pulev, there was a lot of talk about what Murat Gassiev had left. It has been a frustrating period for him with injuries and inactivity – but we believed in his ability.
“We delivered the Pulev bout, and he repaid our faith with a spectacular knockout. For me, the most brutal knockout of 2025.
“Gassiev is back to his best; he was one of the greatest cruiserweights of his era and now he has made his mark in the heavyweight division. His injury problems are behind him and now he is ready to take on the best in the world: anyone, anytime, anywhere.
“There was, of course, an order by the WBA for Moses Itauma to face the winner of Pulev vs Gassiev – with a lot of talk from our friends at Queensberry Promotions – but since Gassiev’s destructive performance, it all seems to have gone quiet. Now, there is talk of Itauma vs Lawrence Okolie.
“For me, this is no coincidence. They would have jumped at the chance to face a 44-year-old Kubrat Pulev, but a prime, heavy-hitter like Murat Gassiev? I know the game and I can see why Frank Warren would not want to put his ‘Golden Boy’ in with Murat. We take it as a compliment!
Highlights of Moses Itauma’s spectacular victory against Dillian Whyte in Riyadh. Coverage courtesy of DAZN and Queensberry Promotions
“However, if Itauma is ready to step up and face a real challenge, we would welcome him for Murat’s first defence. It would be a spectacular fight. Murat will face anyone and has the power to knock out any heavyweight in the world. We can do that fight anywhere: Moscow, Dubai, London or the moon! Murat is a world champion, a man of the people, and is willing to showcase his ability to a global audience.”
Gassiev could instead target a string of big-name British heavyweights as he holds ambitious plans to face Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua and Fabio Wardley.
“It is Murat’s dream to fight in London and, specifically, Wembley Stadium, said Siesta. “He loves British boxing fans and their passion for the sport. He feeds off this energy. If Itauma isn’t ready, then our friend Derek Chisora has already demanded the fight with Murat.
“In fact, he was in the ring sooner than I was after Murat defeated Pulev. What a story that would be: Derek Chisora fighting for the WBA Heavyweight title in his 50th professional fight. We know what Derek brings to the table and we are 100% ready to make this fight in London.”
Highlights of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua. Video courtesy of Netflix and MVP. Jake vs. Joshua is now available to watch globally only on Netflix
Joshua ended a 15-month absence from the ring with a sixth-round knockout of YouTube star Jake Paul in the early hours of Saturday, while Wardley is weighing up his next move after being elevated as the new WBO champion following a stoppage of Joseph Parker in October.
Siesta added: “Of course, there is Anthony Joshua. If he wants another opportunity to become world champion, there is no bigger fight in the U.K. for us commercially. I understand that he is looking for a warm-up fight before facing Tyson Fury in 2026 – but make no mistake, Murat is not a warm-up for anyone.
“A fight with ‘AJ’ would be a huge international event that could fill up any stadium or arena in the United Kingdom. We appreciate, however, that Joshua looks to have reached a stage of his career where he wants the biggest pay cheque for the least risk. He has earned that right – but if he still has the ambition to become a three-time world champion, then Eddie Hearn has my phone number.
Highlights of Joseph Parker’s heavyweight clash with Fabio Wardley at The O2 arena. (Credit: DAZN)
“Lastly, of course, is the WBO champion Fabio Wardley. What can I say about Fabio? He has done tremendously well to get to the level he has achieved. He has tremendous heart and desire – and he will fight anyone. I was disappointed to see Oleksandr Usyk vacate his title instead of giving Wardley the shot he clearly deserved, but this is boxing. We are ready to make this fight between two proud champions, for the WBA and WBO titles.
“A bout between Fabio and Murat would be must-see TV – but be warned, you cannot afford to give Murat the same success that [Justis] Huni or [Joseph] Parker had, otherwise it will be a quick night.
“We are open to face anyone in the division. Murat is the kind of fighter who thrives on the big occasion and wants to face the best opponents available. It is no secret of his desire to conquer the United Kingdom – and heavyweight is a division dominated by the Brits! Our friends at Queensberry and Matchroom have my number. We are ready to make these fights at a moment’s notice.
“Murat Gassiev is back: bigger, better and badder than ever. It is our dream to perform in the U.K. in front of a packed crowd in 2026!”
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
NFL Panic Meter: Buccaneers have been miserable for weeks and it cost them 1st place in the NFC South
Early in the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dealing with many injuries but winning in spite of it. It made logical sense to think that when they got healthy, they could be one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams.The Buccaneers did get healthier. And they can’t win a game anymore.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Buccaneers’ season has been strange. They were 6-2 going into their bye week, winning while Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving and Tristan Wirfs missed games. The only losses were against the Lions and Eagles, which at the time weren’t bad losses. There were many very close wins, and that luck was going to eventually going to run dry. But that should have been mitigated by getting key players back. In theory, anyway.[Get more Buccaneers news: Tampa Bay team feed]The Bucs are 1-6 since the bye. That’s […]
2026 Fantasy Baseball: Top 150 rankings for Dynasty leagues, complete with value rating system
Part of what makes a Dynasty league so satisfying is that not every team has the same agenda. Depending on where you are in the contention/rebuild cycle, you can feel like your season was a success even if you don't win. But the ultimate goal is still to win, even if not this year, and to do that, you'll need to do more than hoard prospects. At some point, they'll need to become fully-formed contributors to your success. The league-winners aren't actually the prospects, then, but the core players -- early-to-mid 20s, putting up stud numbers, no end to their greatness in sight. That's what you're hoping the prospects become. But what about those that are a little long in the tooth, still early-rounders in redraft leagues but with, indeed, the end of their greatness in sight? How do they […]
Cash rules everything around sports: The K-shaped economy widened gaps between haves, have-nots in 2025
The K is coming for sports … and we’re not just talking strikeouts.If you’ve spent any time perusing financial news lately … first, congrats on an iron constitution, but second, you’ve surely seen the ever-increasing references to a “K-shaped economy.” Briefly put, it’s a way of describing how the rich are getting richer — as in, net worth is moving up and to the right — while the poor are seeing their line decline.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe K-shaped economy lives in sports, too, and for the exact same reason: Money is flowing toward, and consolidating around, a few key teams, programs and individuals in each sport, leaving the others to fend for whatever scraps are left. There have always been haves and have-nots in the sporting universe: the Yankees and the White Sox, the Lakers and the Wizards, Ohio State and Rutgers. But […]
Brock Purdy’s 5 TDs spoil Philip Rivers’ homecoming; DK Metcalf gets two-game suspension for fan incidents
This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here. Happy Tuesday, everyone. Brent Brookhouse here to guide you through all the news you need to know from the sports world.It's the holiday season, and for my fellow parents, that means a brief respite from early mornings packing lunches and getting the kids off to school. Instead, we can make our days a mix of sports and family. That's certainly the case today, as we get to watch a mix of bowl games, soccer and hockey to fill up our day. Let's dive into the news you need to know on this Tuesday morning. 🏈 Five things to know Tuesday 49ers run all over Colts. Brock […]
College football’s Christmas Grinches of 2025: Lane Kiffin at top after ditching Ole Miss’ CFP team for LSU
As a connoisseur of holiday favorites this time of year, why not incorporate a personal cartoon favorite into the college football stratosphere before the College Football Playoff and bowl season kicks into high gear? You see, the Grinch's backstory is a sad one, stemming from being teased as a child for his appearance, leading to a life of reclusiveness as someone who hated the joy associated with celebrations.There are a couple college football-level outcasts coming out of the 2025 season, too. They're not as ugly as their green counterpart, but provided ample reasons to be despised by fans, viewers and others associated with the sport.This one's meant to be somewhat satirical and light-hearted, but if it makes you feel some type of way it might be time to look in a mirror and get in a more festive spirit before […]
Week 17 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backing Steelers and Bengals
Making NFL picks always carries a bit more excitement when there's something on the line, and that's the case with the Week 17 NFL schedule. No less than half a dozen matchups carry postseason implications for both teams, making them ideal ones to target with Week 17 NFL bets. Among those are Texans vs. Chargers (-1.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook) and Ravens vs. Packers (-2.5) on Saturday, then Jaguars vs. Colts (+6.5), Seahawks vs. Panthers (+7.5) and Eagles vs. Bills (-2.5) on Sunday afternoon.Then on Sunday night, the 49ers are 2.5-point home favorites over the Bears, per the Week 17 NFL odds. If a rest edge matters to you, then you may want to back the Bears with Week 17 NFL predictions as Chicago's coming off a Saturday game, while San Fran is coming off a Monday game. All of the […]
Related
NFL Panic Meter: Buccaneers have been miserable for weeks and it cost them 1st place in the NFC South
Early in the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dealing with many injuries but winning in spite of it. It made logical sense to think that when they got healthy, they could be one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams.The Buccaneers did get healthier. And they can’t win a game anymore.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Buccaneers’ season has been strange. They were 6-2 going into their bye week, winning while Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving and Tristan Wirfs missed games. The only losses were against the Lions and Eagles, which at the time weren’t bad losses. There were many very close wins, and that luck was going to eventually going to run dry. But that should have been mitigated by getting key players back. In theory, anyway.[Get more Buccaneers news: Tampa Bay team feed]The Bucs are 1-6 since the bye. That’s […]
2026 Fantasy Baseball: Top 150 rankings for Dynasty leagues, complete with value rating system
Part of what makes a Dynasty league so satisfying is that not every team has the same agenda. Depending on where you are in the contention/rebuild cycle, you can feel like your season was a success even if you don't win. But the ultimate goal is still to win, even if not this year, and to do that, you'll need to do more than hoard prospects. At some point, they'll need to become fully-formed contributors to your success. The league-winners aren't actually the prospects, then, but the core players -- early-to-mid 20s, putting up stud numbers, no end to their greatness in sight. That's what you're hoping the prospects become. But what about those that are a little long in the tooth, still early-rounders in redraft leagues but with, indeed, the end of their greatness in sight? How do they […]
Cash rules everything around sports: The K-shaped economy widened gaps between haves, have-nots in 2025
The K is coming for sports … and we’re not just talking strikeouts.If you’ve spent any time perusing financial news lately … first, congrats on an iron constitution, but second, you’ve surely seen the ever-increasing references to a “K-shaped economy.” Briefly put, it’s a way of describing how the rich are getting richer — as in, net worth is moving up and to the right — while the poor are seeing their line decline.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe K-shaped economy lives in sports, too, and for the exact same reason: Money is flowing toward, and consolidating around, a few key teams, programs and individuals in each sport, leaving the others to fend for whatever scraps are left. There have always been haves and have-nots in the sporting universe: the Yankees and the White Sox, the Lakers and the Wizards, Ohio State and Rutgers. But […]
Brock Purdy’s 5 TDs spoil Philip Rivers’ homecoming; DK Metcalf gets two-game suspension for fan incidents
This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here. Happy Tuesday, everyone. Brent Brookhouse here to guide you through all the news you need to know from the sports world.It's the holiday season, and for my fellow parents, that means a brief respite from early mornings packing lunches and getting the kids off to school. Instead, we can make our days a mix of sports and family. That's certainly the case today, as we get to watch a mix of bowl games, soccer and hockey to fill up our day. Let's dive into the news you need to know on this Tuesday morning. 🏈 Five things to know Tuesday 49ers run all over Colts. Brock […]
College football’s Christmas Grinches of 2025: Lane Kiffin at top after ditching Ole Miss’ CFP team for LSU
As a connoisseur of holiday favorites this time of year, why not incorporate a personal cartoon favorite into the college football stratosphere before the College Football Playoff and bowl season kicks into high gear? You see, the Grinch's backstory is a sad one, stemming from being teased as a child for his appearance, leading to a life of reclusiveness as someone who hated the joy associated with celebrations.There are a couple college football-level outcasts coming out of the 2025 season, too. They're not as ugly as their green counterpart, but provided ample reasons to be despised by fans, viewers and others associated with the sport.This one's meant to be somewhat satirical and light-hearted, but if it makes you feel some type of way it might be time to look in a mirror and get in a more festive spirit before […]
Week 17 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backing Steelers and Bengals
Making NFL picks always carries a bit more excitement when there's something on the line, and that's the case with the Week 17 NFL schedule. No less than half a dozen matchups carry postseason implications for both teams, making them ideal ones to target with Week 17 NFL bets. Among those are Texans vs. Chargers (-1.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook) and Ravens vs. Packers (-2.5) on Saturday, then Jaguars vs. Colts (+6.5), Seahawks vs. Panthers (+7.5) and Eagles vs. Bills (-2.5) on Sunday afternoon.Then on Sunday night, the 49ers are 2.5-point home favorites over the Bears, per the Week 17 NFL odds. If a rest edge matters to you, then you may want to back the Bears with Week 17 NFL predictions as Chicago's coming off a Saturday game, while San Fran is coming off a Monday game. All of the […]
Be the first to leave a comment