Anthony Joshua Names Murat Gassiev as Next Opponent if He Defeats Tyson Fury
Anthony Joshua's Plans After Tyson Fury Showdown
Anthony Joshua has revealed who he wants to face next, but only if he manages to beat Tyson Fury in their upcoming December fight.
The bout between Fury and Joshua is widely viewed as the biggest clash in British boxing history. It is set for December 11th at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Attempts to get this fight off the negotiation table and into the ring have stretched over a decade, yet now it appears inevitable.
WBA 'Super' Heavyweight Title Could Be On The Line
Beyond pride and bragging rights, there may be more at stake. Reports suggest the WBA 'Super' heavyweight championship might be contested, which would mark the first time in division history that this belt is on the line between two fighters who do not currently hold it.
This situation has unsettled Murat Gassiev, the Russian heavyweight who holds the WBA 'Regular' heavyweight title. Gassiev took this crown after Oleksandr Usyk vacated all his heavyweight belts in June and defended it successfully against Peter Kadiru in July.
Gassiev’s team has formally objected to the idea of Fury vs Joshua fighting for the 'Super' title. They demand the WBA publicly reject these reports and ensure Gassiev’s status as the sole recognized world heavyweight champion is respected.
"If anyone should be fighting for the WBA Super heavyweight title, it is Murat Gassiev, the reigning champion, not two boxers who currently hold no world title between them," said John Wirt, Gassiev’s co-promoter and legal counsel.
Joshua’s Clear Intentions
After the press conference launching the Fury fight, Joshua spoke to talkSPORT and made his next target clear. When asked who he plans to fight after Fury, he responded simply with two words: "Murat Gassiev."
According to WBA regulations, the 'Super' champion must defend the title against the 'Regular' champion. It's common nowadays for fighters to vacate belts to avoid certain matchups, so Joshua and Fury might want to dodge this obligation given Gassiev's lesser marketability and the huge payday expected from their own fight.
Still, Joshua appears ready to face Gassiev if he wins in December, a move sure to please Gassiev’s camp.
Upcoming Matches Schedule
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