3<\/p>\n Gassiev had won both of his cruiserweight titles by 24, after challenging legitimate champions and coming away the victor<\/p>\n The WBA had ordered Itauma to face ‘regular’ champion Pulev<\/a>, but the Bulgarian received clearance to make a voluntary defence against the Russian, leaving Itauma out in the cold.<\/p>\n Itauma could well still pursue the WBA route to a world title, and promoter of the bout Siesta believes Gassiev could cause Itauma problems.<\/p>\n Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: \u201cPulev is a great fight for Itauma cause it\u2019s an easy fight. <\/p>\n “Pulev is a great professional but Itauma is on a really good run. <\/p>\n “Gassiev coming out of the woodwork, great cruiserweight, incredible heavyweight, just won in America and now he\u2019s in contention.<\/p>\n \u201cGassiev will knock Pulev out and then he will embrace Ituama, he can be next. <\/p>\n “Murrat Gassiev against Moses Itauma<\/a> is much better with than Moses Itauma versus Pulev. <\/p>\n “The only downfall for Itauma, is that Gassiev will be the champion.\u201d<\/p>\n Who is Murat Gassiev?<\/p>\n Former unified cruiserweight champion, Gassiev, dominated the division as he claimed the IBF and WBA titles before moving up in weight in 2020.<\/p>\n His heavyweight reinvention came two years after a comprehensive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk<\/a>, which saw Gassiev lose his unbeaten record as a professional.<\/a><\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Gassiev is being tipped to pose a real threat to Itauma<\/p>\n Similar success followed in the ring as he competed at the new weight, having lost just once more in his career to Otto Wallin<\/a> when they clashed in 2023.<\/p>\n Gassiev is hoping to make an immediate splash in the heavyweight division, with victory over Pulev to put him in position to demand a sequel with Usyk.<\/p>\n What’s next for Moses Itauma?<\/p>\n A match-up with Gassiev could be on the cards after the IBA Pro 13 event, although Itauma is still running low on options for his planned December 13 fight date.<\/p>\n The prodigy has had offers turned down<\/a> by the likes of Jermaine Franklin and Filip Hrgovic, and a staggering request for a payday over $3million to fight him<\/a>.<\/p>\n That being said, Joshua Parker has offered to step in on short notice<\/a> to clash with Itauma and Zhilei Zhang\u00a0has also thrown his hat into the ring<\/a>. <\/p>\n But an official solution has yet to be published, with promoter Frank Warren remaining coy on the situation.<\/p>\n![\"9:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/9gassiev.jpg\")
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