Russian heavyweight Murat Gassiev has demanded a mandatory fight with the winner of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury after the WBA decided to sanction their December bout for its “super” heavyweight title.
Gassiev, who holds the WBA’s regular heavyweight title, expected to be elevated to full world champion status after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his titles earlier this year.
However, the WBA is set to put the vacant “super” title on the line when Joshua and Fury meet on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, leaving Gassiev as a secondary title-holder.
The decision has frustrated the 32-year-old, who described the situation as “strange” and said he was surprised to find himself back in the regular champion position after Usyk’s departure.
“If Usyk left his belt, I woke up as a super champion. Go to sleep, wake up, I am again the regular champion,” Gassiev told Sky Sports.
Gassiev, who stopped Peter Kadiru in June, said he now expects to face whoever wins the Joshua-Fury clash.
“Who wins after the fight, I need to fight with this guy for sure,” he said.
Joshua has also indicated that he would be interested in facing Gassiev if he defeats Fury, potentially setting up a major WBA heavyweight clash.
