Murat Gassiev will make the first defense of his WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title against Tony Yoka on July 11. The event will be promoted by IBA Pro and take place at the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia.

Gassiev, a former cruiserweight titleholder, is yet to hit the heights of his cruiserweight days at heavyweight. However, the 32-year-old registered his best win yet in the banner division, a sixth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev in December, winning the WBA secondary belt. The WBA ‘super’ champion remains Oleksandr Usyk.

“It is an honour to defend the WBA horld heavyweight Title for the first time, and to do it at home in front of my Russian fans makes it extra special,” said Gassiev, 33-2 (26 KOs), in a press release. “Tony Yoka is a tremendous champion, an Olympic gold medallist, a big, strong heavyweight with serious skills. I have huge respect for him. I would like to thank both my team and President Kremlev for this opportunity. On July 11, I will do my absolute best to win and keep the belt in Russia.”

France’s Yoka was due to take on Lawrence Okolie in a WBC eliminator in April but the Englishman failed a drugs test and the bout was cancelled mere days before it was due to begin. Yoka has not yet delivered on the promise that was expected of him following a successful amateur career that delivered an Olympic gold medal at the 2016 games. However, Since teaming up with Don Charles – who recently masterminded Daniel Dubois’ heavyweight title triumph – Yoka now believes he has the right team in place.

“I’m going to win this world title for all my people in France and Congo that have not only stuck with me, but still believe in me becoming a professional world champion,” said Yoka, 15-3 (12 KOs). “I’ve been working hard for over two years now with Don Charles and I’m ready to showcase to the boxing world the changes in my professional boxing. I want to thank Don and my team for backing me 100 per cent through this period, as well as Frank and George Warren at the best promoters in the world, Queensberry, for getting me this opportunity which I will make the most of.”