Murat Gassiev has identified heavyweight unification as his primary goal following his sixth-round stoppage of Peter Kadiru in Moscow. However, with the title picture potentially tied up, Gassiev confirmed he is open to a high-profile fight against veteran contender Derek Chisora.
The former unified cruiserweight champion made his ambitions clear in the aftermath of his victory. He is focused on securing world titles in his new division, viewing championship belts as the ultimate objective for any professional boxer. His past experience chasing undisputed status at a lower weight class fuels his current heavyweight campaign. “Unification fights are always the priority in professional boxing,” Gassiev stated. “The champions have the belts, and that’s what every boxer is chasing. I held two belts at cruiserweight and fought for the undisputed championship. Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed then, but this is a new chapter, and I want to move toward unification fights.”
Still, Gassiev remains a realist. If a path to a title is not immediately available, he has a viable and intriguing option in Chisora, who entered the ring after Saturday’s fight. The two have a respectful relationship, which Gassiev believes would make for a compelling matchup. He said the fight makes sense if the belts are not on the line. “Chisora and I have a good relationship. We’re friends. He’s a big name in boxing, and that fight would generate a lot of excitement. I’m sure it would be a very entertaining fight.”
The 32-year-old also acknowledged that his win over Kadiru, a late replacement, was not straightforward. He admitted the contest was challenging but refused to make excuses, accepting the difficulties that come with competing at the elite level. “It was a tough fight. There’s nothing to hide,” Gassiev said. “But when you’re at this level, among the top heavyweights, there are no excuses. You have to be ready for everything. That’s professional boxing.” Gassiev now plans to take a short break before deciding his next move, with his path forward clearly defined by the availability of the division’s champions.
