Notebook: Gassiev to defend 'regular' heavyweight title vs. Yoka
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Murat Gassiev will defend the WBA “regular” heavyweight title against Tony Yoka in the headliner of an IBA Pro card on July 11 at VTB Arena in Moscow, the IBA announced on Wednesday.
Gassiev, who was down on all three scorecards — 50-45, 49-46 and 48-47 — dramatically won belt by crushing one-punch knockout of Kubrat Pulev in the sixth round in December at Duty Free Tennis Center in Dubai.
Now former unified cruiserweight titlist Gassiev (33-2, 26 KOs), 32, will be at home in Russia to make his first defense against Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs), 34, the 2016 French Olympic gold medalist, whose pro career so far as been a major disappointment given his losses and performance-enhancing drug issues.
“It is an honor to defend the WBA world heavyweight title for the first time, and to do it at home in front of my Russian fans makes it extra special,” Gassiev said. “Tony Yoka is a big, strong heavyweight with serious skills. I have huge respect for him. I will do my absolute best to win and keep the belt in Russia.”
