On very short notice, German heavyweight Peter Kadiru will face WBA regular heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev. Kadiru, age 29 and with a pro record of 23-1 with 13 KOs, steps into a main event to be held on Saturday, July 11th at VTB Arena in Moscow. Kadiru replaces Tony Yoka of France, who was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. A Hamburg native, Kadiru is coming offa unanimous decision win over Senad Gashi in May. He's won nine in a row since a 2022 KO loss to nondescript Marcos Antonio Aumada. With world champion Oleksandr Usyk having recently vacated the three title he held, Gassiev has apparently been upgraded, meaning Kadiru has now stepped up for a shot at the full WBA heavyweight title.
The Russian Gassiev won the WBA regular title with a sixth-round knockout of Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev in December. The 32-year-old North Ossetia-native boasts a record of 33-2 with 26 KOs. Now, the man fittingly nicknamed ‘Iron’ returns home to defend the belt that Russia waited more than a decade to reclaim.
This matchup promises to be a compelling and competitive heavyweight clash. Both men are formidable punchers capable of ending the fight at any moment, setting the stage for an explosive, high-stakes encounter that could reshape the heavyweight landscape.
Gassiev said: “I was fully prepared and ready for Tony Yoka, but boxing is unpredictable and champions must adapt. Peter Kadiru is a big, strong, experienced fighter with a solid amateur pedigree and real power. Fighting at home in Moscow in front of my Russian fans for my first defence is special. I will be ready on July 11 and I intend to keep the WBA World Heavyweight Title in Russia.”
Kadiru said: “Since my win over Senad Gashi, I’ve been in the gym training and wanting to be back in the ring. I’m excited for the opportunity to travel to Russia and challenge for the WBA Heavyweight World Title on July 11. This is my moment. My team and I are locked in and Moscow should get ready for a big performance.”
Umar Kremlev, president of the de fscto promoter, the IBA, said: “We wish Tony Yoka a full and speedy recovery from his back injury. Murat Gassiev defending his crown at home against a resilient and dangerous fighter like Peter Kadiru at short notice perfectly embodies the spirit of the IBA. July 11th at VTB Arena will be a historic and unforgettable night for boxing fans.”
Florian Winter, Ringside Zone CEO: ‘We are grateful for this opportunity and we will show the world how great Peter Kadiru is. He is in great shape and he’s ready to give a proper champions’ fight to Gassiev.”
