Murat Gassiev, the WBA heavyweight beltholder, has admitted he has “completely switched off” from boxing though talks are underway behind the scenes regarding his next opponent.
The Russian, 34-2 (27 KOs), is one of several heavyweights in the championship mix following Gassiev’s former conqueror Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish three of the four belts and, in effect, say goodbye to elite-level competition.
Gassiev halted the unheralded Peter Kadiru last month before veteran Derek Chisora confronted the victor, somewhat playfully, in the aftermath. Cue speculation that the war-torn Briton is being lined up for Gassiev next.
“At the moment, I do not have any information about my next fight,” Gassiev said. “Negotiations are taking place, and different options and opponents are being considered. I am resting now and completely switched off from boxing. As soon as there is something concrete — an opponent and a location — I will immediately start training.
“That is his style and the way he behaves,” Gassiev explained about Chisora. “There is nothing unusual about it. He promotes himself in the way he knows how, and he remains a big name in boxing.
“My attitude towards him does not change because I know what to expect from him. These kinds of statements and social media posts are very popular now. Personally, I do not welcome it. I have never behaved that way; I prefer to show everything in the ring.
“Everything is possible if it makes sense for my career and my team supports it,” he said. “Why not? Derek remains dangerous despite having had a lot of fights, and there is always something interesting when he is in the ring.”
Chisora lost to Deontay Wilder in April in a wild bout that showcased why Chisora is not currently ranked by the WBA. At the top of those rankings, however, is Jarrell Miller; another fighter who has made it clear he has Gassiev in his sights.
“Sport is first of all about respect for each other and respect for your opponent,” he said. “For me, sport represents something good, clean, and genuine. I am 32 years old; I am not at an age where I am going to be offended by things like that. I have been in professional sport for many years and have given it my time, my physical strength and my mental strength. I understand why he does it. He is trying to create interest around himself.
“I can say with complete confidence that I have never fallen for those provocations and I never will. They do not throw me off balance.”
The heavyweight division has stolen many headlines in recent months with the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua saga responsible for the majority.
“Joshua and Fury are five years late with this fight,” Gassiev said. “It would have been much more interesting earlier. But we have what we have. If the fight happens now, that is good. If it does not happen, nobody is going to see it as a tragedy. I would watch it with pleasure. It would be interesting to see what they can both show in the ring.
“They are both dangerous for each other and, in general, for any heavyweight,” he said. “If the fight takes place in England, I am sure they would fill Wembley. They are global stars and icons in their own country.”
