Murat Gassiev vs Peter Kadiru fight preview, betting odds, prediction
Murat Gassiev vs Peter Kadiru - TV channel, date, time, venue, preview, betting odds, prediction
The brand-new WBA World heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev (33-2, 26 KOs) will defend his shiny new belt to stand-in opponent Peter Kadiru (23-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night, July 11 in Moscow.
The heavyweights will clash over 12 world championhip rounds in the main event of the stacked IBA Pro 19 show in the VTB Arena, which is supported by Artem Suslenkov vs Joe Joyce, who also lock horns for a WBA heavyweight title.
How to Watch
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 4pm BST
Ringwalks: Gassiev-Kadiru expected to make their ringwalks from 7pm BST approx.
TV: DAZN
Promoter: IBA Pro 19 is promoted by Al Siesta's IB Challenger, with Epic Sports & Entertainment, Patriot Promotion, Ural Boxing Promotions, Queensberry Promotions.
Fight Preview
French heavyweight Tony Yoka was forced to withdraw from the scheduled world title clash with Gassiev due to a back injury. Kadiru has now stepped up for a shot at the full WBA Heavyweight World Title.
Russian icon, Murat Gassiev, enters the contest as the reigning WBA Heavyweight champion, having become his nation’s first World heavyweight titleholder in over a decade with his electrifying sixth-round knockout of Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev at IBA Pro 13 in December. The 32-year-old North Ossetia-native boasts a fearsome record of 33-2 (26 KOs), and is considered by many to be one of the sport’s most devastating punchers — as demonstrated by his highlight reel ‘Knockout of the Year’ of Pulev in front of a capacity crowd. Now, the man fittingly nicknamed ‘Iron’ returns home to defend the belt that Russia waited more than a decade to reclaim.
Hamburg native, Kadiru (23-1, 13 KOs), however, has aspirations of his own and will enter July 11’s showpiece event with the knowledge that a win could see the German in line for a shot at the heavyweight division’s leading names. Fresh off a unanimous decision win over Senad Gashi in May, Kadiru has established himself as one of the German heavyweight division’s most recognisable names and will travel to Moscow fully confident of springing the upset over Murat Gassiev.
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.
Last 5 Fights
Gassiev:
W-KO6 Kubrat Pulev
W-RTD6 Jeremiah Milton
W-KO5 Kem Ljungquist
L-SD12 Otto Wallin
W-KO2 Mike Balogun
Kadiru:
W-UD10 Senad Gashi
W-UD8 Mauricio Nicolas
W-TKO1 Selcuk Tezer
W-TKO1 Osasu Tezer
W-TKO5 Djuar El Scheich
Quotes
Murat Gassiev: “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.”
Peter Kadiru: “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.”
Betting Odds
8/11 Gassiev
5/4 Kadiru
16/1 Draw
Fight Prediction
Tim Rickson, GBN Editor: "The new WBA champ's last nine victories have all come via knockout. Kadiru is a great fighter, just went 10 rounds with Senad Gashi, but Gassiev is a devastating puincher and I believe he may get a 10th consecutive knockout win. Murat Gassiev to win by KO. If you want to find higher odds, then either go for Gassiev by KO in rounds 1-6 or in rounds 4-6. "
