The announcement that the WBA ‘Super’ title is set to be on the line in the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua bout has proved controversial.
It was reported this week that the title will be up for grabs when Fury and Joshua finally collide at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday 11 December, meaning that the victor would become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
Current WBA champion Murat Gassiev is said to be demanding clarification for the announcement though, having initially become WBA ‘Regular’ champion when he dethroned Kubrat Pulev last December with a vicious sixth-round knockout.
With Oleksandr Usyk vacating his three belts in June, it was then widely accepted that Gassiev – as the division’s only WBA belt-holder – had become the full heavyweight champion.
Subsequently, the 32-year-old defended his supposed world title in July, as late replacement Peter Kadiru became the third consecutive victim of a sixth-round stoppage.
According to Boxing King Media, Gassiev’s co-promoter Ivaylo Gotzev is attempting to get the decision to add the WBA ‘Super’ title to Fury vs. Joshua reversed or, at the very least, expects the WBA to justify its reported ruling.
“If a new super champion is now to be designated above the existing world champion, then there must be absolute clarity about how that decision is consistent with the WBA’s rules, rankings and championship structure.”
“There is already a WBA Heavyweight World Champion. His name is Murat Gassiev.”
Indeed, there has been no statement or explanation from president Gilberto Mendoza, or the WBA itself, regarding Fury-Joshua being sanctioned as a ‘super’ title fight.
