Former WBA and IBF cruiserweight world champion “Iron” Murat Gassiev (28-1, 21 KOs), now competing at heavyweight, scored a fourth round TKO over Michael Wallisch (22-5, 15 KOs) on Thursday at the Dynamo Volleyball Arena in Moscow, Russia. Gassiev started slow, but it was only a matter of time. Late in round four, he sent Wallisch down with a right hand. Wallisch seemingly survived, but the bout was stopped. Time 3:00. With the win, Gassiev claimed the vacant WBA Asia title. All five of Wallisch’s losses have been by KO.
WBA gold super flyweight beltholder Mikhail Aloyan (7-1, 1 KO) outpointed Yohana Mchanya (12-3, 10 KOs) over ten rounds. Mchanya was the aggressor for much of the fight, but judges preferred the work of 2016 Olympic medalist Aloyan to the tune of 99-91 3x.
2016 Olympic featherweight medalist Vladimir Nikitin finally got the first pro KO on his record. Nikitin (5-1-1, 1 KO) pretty much teed off on late sub Rauf Aghayev (31-10, 14 KOs) the whole way and Aghayev didn’t come out for round four. Nikitin is best known for his controversial decision over Mick Conlan in the last Olympics, which Conlan avenged in the pros.
Super welterweight Ricardo Ruben Villalba (20-4-1, 8 KOs) won by fourth round DQ over Edgar Ghukasyan (8-3-1, 3 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA Asia belt. After multiple headbutts Ghukasyan was chased after another headbutt left Villalba unable to continue.
Middleweight Edgard Moskvichev (13-1-2, 3 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Andrey Kalyuzhnyy (14-4, 12 KOs) for the Russian domestic title.
Unbeaten featherweight Andranik Grigoryan (14-0, 3 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Nathanael Kakololo (11-2-1, 4 KOs). No scores were announced.
I heard Briedis was moving up to heavyweight soon. Gassiev v Briedis at heavyweight?!
Wallisch tried to box like Usyk. Gassiev caught up with him after a slow start. Maybe a premature stoppage though?
The tall Wallisch started to step up the pace in the second round and moved around in the ring with rather fast hands. Wallisch successfully stayed out of Gassievs range most of the time. In the fourth Gassiev managed to close the distance and he repeatedly targeted the body. Gassiev hit Wallisch with a hard right cross on the chin and he went down. With ten seconds left Gassiev continued and the ref stepped in and stopped the fight immediately after the bell. Rather strange.
Interesting to watch. Wallisch stamina did not last long. But this fight clearly showed that a tall boxer with a good jab, quick hands, moving feet and good stamina will cause Gassiev problems. I wish the humble Gassiev all the best but he needs to take his time. He is only 27 so no hurry.
Hmm, let’s see,
“…a tall boxer with a good jab, quick hands, moving feet and good stamina will cause Gassiev problems”
Then it’s a good thing he’ll be fighting against the current group of chubby, sloppy, inept and inactive HWs. Sounds like he may do just fine.
You mean Wallisch could be described as “chubby, sloppy, inept and inactive”? It was Wallisch 7th fight in three years. That could by no means be defined as inactive. Chubby? Are you serious? Sloppy and inept? Well, are we talking about same fight?
Gassiev on the other hand has been inactive since his lost against Usyk three years ago. I am sure Gassiev and his team has ambitions. To reach top 10 requires quality in the other corner. Give him some time.
He needs to adapt to new conditions, take on step at a time, evaluate and move on. I think Gassiev and his team seem to be acting very sensibly.
I was referring to the majority of the higher ranked HWs.
Ok, I understand, but, I am thinking, boxers coming up in my mind, that could perhaps fit your description, are Pulev, Povetkin, maybe Helenius, if considered top 20, and soon perhaps even Ortiz, all mainly due to age.
Chubby boxers to consider are perhaps Fury, Whyte, Ruiz, Chisora, but they have all proved to be capable, over and over again. Kownacki should probably no be considered as top 20, especially not after his surprising defeat against Helenius. But I sure would watch Gassiev vs Kownacki.
It is always alternation of generations going on, some of the above are on their way out. Gassiev would give some of the older boxers ranked in front of him a tough fight. On the other hand, Gassiev is ranked higher than Joyce, Yoka, Ajagba, Martin, Wallin, Dubois, and others, by boxrec, and I would probably stay away from most of them if I was his manager. I would consider Wallin and Dubois, perhaps even Martin, after another two fights or so by Gassiev.
lets see what happen when he steps it up
Gassiev looks better suited to HW’s than Usyk, looks to have more physical strength and resilience. Too early actually to speak as neither have been tested at HW yet.
Murat Gassiev? Not a chance at Heavyweight…Not versatile enough…one dimensional..Evident in the final of the SS tournament against Usyk…
Was Sulliman just tossing hay when he said he was creating asub division in the Heavyweight class? heavyweight..200 -220+? Superheavyweight 220-+..How in the heck is a guy like him and hunter going to compete with a guy like Hrgovic for instance? I ask you?