Murat Gassiev, after winning the regular WBA belt, answered a question about the fight with Usik

Russian boxer Murat Gassiev, after winning the title fight over Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, said that now he cannot choose his opponents.

The fight took place as part of the BETCITY IBA.PRO 13 tournament in Dubai and ended with Gassiev’s victory by knockout in the sixth round. The World Boxing Association (WBA) regular world heavyweight title was at stake.

– I’m happy. It was a tough training camp, so now I feel a little empty. Perhaps the realization will come later. It’s always nice to win early. Pulev has a very good boxing school, plus big sizes. But I listened to the angle’s clues. Every next fight will be the main one for me. This fight was important in its own way. I was up against a real heavyweight who held the championship belt. Additional responsibility was felt. There is no awareness of victory yet, but maybe tomorrow it will come.

— You are now a regular champion. How realistic do you see the chance to meet with full-fledged WBA champion Usyk?

“As I’ve always said, my job is just to train, to do my job.” And box with those they give me. If something depended on me… I could. But I’m not in a situation to choose opponents.

– You are now a champion, and theoretically you can choose.

“I don’t want to put myself in this position.” “You always want to be a contender,” a Match TV correspondent reports Gassiev’s words.

Alexander Usik holds the full WBA heavyweight title. In 2018, Usik defeated Gassiev by unanimous decision in the fight for the title of absolute world champion in the first heavyweight division.

32-year-old Gassiev has 33 victories in the professional ring with two defeats, 38-year-old Usik won 24 fights and did not suffer a single defeat.

The IBA.PRO 13 tournament was broadcast live on the Match TV and Match Fighter channels.