Murat Gassiev had a huge issue before Oleksandr Usyk fight… Al Siesta reveals all ahead of potential rematch

EXCLUSIVE: Murat Gassiev suffered an injury ahead of his showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair met back in 2018, in the final of the cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series, with the Ukrainian emerging the victor via unanimous decision. But while their rivalry is in the past for now, it could be about to explode back into life.

WOW: ‘Mike Tyson heckled me’… Billy Dib reveals exactly what the legend said to him during hilarious spar

Al Siesta reveals Murat Gassiev injury ahead of Oleksandr Usyk clash

On December 12, Murat Gassiev will battle it out with Kubrat Pulev for the WBA (Regular) heavyweight championship in a bout destined for fireworks at IBA Pro Fight Night 13, inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in the UAE.

Promoter, Al Siesta, who is quickly cementing his status as one of the most enthusiastic and passionate men in the sport, can’t wait for the showdown, believing a win for the Russian could lead to a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, he exclaimed: “Let me tell you something: that fight against Oleksandr Usyk, Murat had a legitimate shoulder injury, to the extent that they wanted to pull him out, but he said, ‘No, I’m staying there’, partly for money, partly for legacy. That chapter is still unclosed. So, hopefully, if Murat wins here, that’s a great promotion — Usyk vs Gassiev at heavyweight. It’d be a boxing bonanza.”

Al Siesta says the IBA Men’s Elite World Championships is one of the best tournaments he’s ever seen

In addition to a monstrous heavyweight clash, Siesta is revelling in giving the stars of the future an opportunity to showcase their skills in the IBA Men’s Elite World Championships.

The competition, which is currently underway and will conclude on December 13, has provided excitement in abundance, with knockouts galore and magnificent performances, with the likes of Roy Jones Jr. and Amir Khan flying out to watch the action.

Siesta is over the moon with how the tournament is going.

He beamed: “It’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. $8.3 million is the prize money. It’s life-changing money. It’s an amazing setup in an open-air stadium. 108 countries, 500 participants, unbelievable — the quality, new gloves, the transition between amateur and professional gloves, loads of stoppages, pointing out that defense needs to be tightened up if they want to be in the boxing game. We’re really excited with the work we’re doing, I’m delighted, it’s one of the best tournaments I’ve ever been to.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty/IBA