Anthony Joshua could soon face one of the heavyweight division’s most ferocious punchers, but must first defeat Tyson Fury in their Battle of Britain on December 11.
The pair will finally collide at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with the winner set to become a three-time world champion by claiming the WBA ‘super’ title.
This is in spite of Murat Gassiev currently reigning as the sanctioning body’s only heavyweight titlist, given that Oleksandr Usyk vacated his three major belts in June.
Prior to that, Gassiev had claimed the WBA ‘regular’ title by dethroning Kubrat Pulev, who he stopped with a vicious sixth-round knockout last December.
The former unified cruiserweight champion then orchestrated the same outcome against Peter Kadiru in July, with many viewing this as a first defence of his full WBA title.
Following the announcement of Fury-Joshua, however, it was reported that the organisation’s ‘super’ title will be on the line in Cardiff.
As a result, there is a degree of doubt over Gassiev’s championship status but, in fairness to Joshua, the 36-year-old has said he would be happy to face the Russian next year.
In a social media clip posted by BoxingScene, Gassiev has now responded to the former two-time world champion and accepted his challenge.
“Hi, Anthony. I heard you want to fight me. Let’s do it. I’m ready. Anytime, anywhere. See you.”
While ‘AJ’, indeed, seems keen to face Gassiev in 2027, many are forecasting a defeat to Fury who, despite not looking his best, did manage to convincingly defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach earlier this year.
Joshua, on the other hand, suffered two knockdowns before scoring a second-round finish over Kristian Prenga in July, and so will enter the ring this December as underdog.
