Kubrat Pulev defends his WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight world title against Murat Gassiev this Friday in Dubai.
Al Siesta’s IBA Pro promote Pulev vs Gassiev, with the card live worldwide on DAZN.
Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) was originally ordered to defend his belt against Moses Itauma, but the WBA granted the Bulgarian an exception to face Gassiev (32-2, 25 KOs) at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Pulev is in his 16th year as a professional, but is surely coming towards the end of a very respectable career.
The 44-year-old has only lost three times as a professional and challenged twice unsuccessfully for world titles against Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua respectively.
The former European champion has bounced back from his only other loss to Derek Chisora with three straight victories and captured the vacant title he defends this Friday with a unanimous decision win over Mahmoud Charr last December.
Gassiev, who is 12 years Pulev’s junior, has flattered to deceive at times since his move up from cruiserweight which culminated with a wide points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in a bid to claim the undisputed championship in 2018.
After four routine wins in the blue-riband division, the 32-year-old came unstuck against Otto Wallin in September 2023.
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Gassiev has won two in a row since, stopping Jeremiah Milton in seven rounds in August.
Prediction: At 44, Pulev’s best days are well behind him and Gasser’s freshness should prove pivotal here. Gassiev can become the new champion on points.
Hughes faces Usmonov
Doncaster’s Maxi Hughes looks to close in on a world title when he faces undefeated Tajik, Bakhodur Usmonov in a WBA lightweight title eliminator.
Hughes (29-7-2, 6 KOs) has won three on the spin since successive defeats to George Kambosos Jr and William Zepeda respectively, outpointing Archie Sharp in May after an upset win over Gary Cully last December.
Usmonov (11-0, 5 KOs), a 2024 Olympian, has won his first 11 professional bouts, picking up the IBA Pro Intercontinental belt in the process.
The 27-year-old is ranked three places higher than Hughes in the WBA rankings at four in the pursuit of champion, Gervonta Davis.
Prediction: Usmonov may have to survive some tough moments here, but can run out a winner on the scorecards.
Musaev meets Mbenge
The IBO welterweight title is on the line when Vadim Musaev meets Tulani Mbenge.
South Africa’s Mbenge (22-2, 16 KOs) won the crown with a unanimous decision win over Michael McKinnon last October, while Russia’s Musaev (13-0, 8 KOs) is undefeated in 13 professional bouts.
Prediction: Musaev should take this on points.
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Remaining Undercard
Elsewhere, Ruben Nestor Neri Munoz (18-2, 14 KOs) can halt Khariton Agrba (16-1, 9 KOs) for a second time in their rematch at super lightweight.
A crossroads welterweight clash should go the way Khuseyn Baysangurov (25-1, 20 KOs) who can hand Faizan Anwar (20-0, 9 KOs) a first professional defeat on points.
Daud Alaev (13-1, 7 KOs) should overcome Dave Penalosa (20-1, 12 KOs) over 10 rounds and Samuel Carmona (13-1, 5 KOs) can do the same against Immanuel Josef (17-4-1, 7 KOs) at bantamweight.
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Venezuela’s Yoel Finol (2-0) can capture the IBA Pro world bantamweight title on the scorecards against Shakhobidin Zoirov (1-1) and Artem Suslenkov (13-0, 8 KOs) can stop Stanley Wright (14-1, 11 KOs) to claim the IBA Pro Intercontinental heavyweight title.
Estelle Mossely (11-0-1, 1 KO) will outpoint Ellen Simwaka (13-7-2, 8 KOs) at lightweight and Nico Ali Walsh (11-2-1, 5 KOs), who drew last time out, can get back to winning ways with a points victory over Jeremiah Sserwadda (12-4-1, 9 KOs) in their middleweight meeting.
Russia’s David Dzukaev (1-0) should round off the card by stopping Madiyar Saydrakhimov (1-1, 1 KO) before the end of their six-round heavyweight clash.
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