Murat Gassiev stunningly knocked out Kubrat Pulev to win the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title in Dubai.
Gassiev landed a clean left into Pulev’s floor to end the contest in the sixth round, his opponent failing to get the count as he tried to get to his feet.
Pulev is no stranger to British boxing fans, having been beaten by Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
At 44, his clash with Gassi was probably his last roll of the dice, but it didn’t work out.
Gassiev celebrates after winning the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title
With his eye-catching win, Gassiev could now earn a full WBA world title shot against unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, who has held the WBA ‘super’ belt since his first win over Joshua in 2021.
Gassiev, a former cruiserweight world champion, met Usyk once before in the cruiserweight division, and Usyk won by unanimous decision.
British red-hot prospect Moses Itauma also awaits Gassiev, with the WBA stating before the bout that the winner of Pulev-Gassiev must fight Itauma next.
Pulev was originally ordered to make a mandatory VBA title defense against Itauma, but the Bulgarian team already had plans to fight Russo Gassiev.
Itauma puts his 13-match unbeaten streak on the line on January 24 when he faces American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.