Laussane, Switzerland
The promotional and legal team representing WBA heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev has launched a fierce protest against circulating reports that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will fight for the vacant WBA "Super" heavyweight world title on December 11.
Gassiev, who currently holds the WBA's "Regular" heavyweight championship, contends that the "Super" status rightfully belongs to him following Oleksandr Usyk's decision to vacate the undisputed crown.
His camp argues that as a reigning champion who won and defended his title inside the ring, Gassiev should have been automatically elevated to Super Champion, or at the very least, granted the first option to contest the vacancy before any outside fighters were considered.
Expressing deep frustration over a complete lack of communication from sanctioning officials, Gassiev’s team labeled the rumored decision as entirely unacceptable.
John Wirt, Gassiev’s co-promoter and legal counsel, fiercely questioned the logic of allowing two challengers without active world titles to bypass the division's top-tier champion.
Wirt confirmed that a formal request has been sent to the WBA demanding an immediate clarification, emphasizing that Gassiev must be given the opportunity to be heard and to fight for the status on the canvas, while explicitly reserving all legal rights in the matter.
Competition Rather Than PR tatements
“If anyone should be fighting for the WBA Super heavyweight title, it is Murat Gassiev, the reigning champion, not two boxers who currently hold no world title between them. Allowing the WBA's number two and number three contenders to bypass the number one contender and the reigning champion himself would be an extraordinary and, to our knowledge, unprecedented decision... Our client's rights in this matter are fully reserved,” Wirt said.
Gassiev himself echoed his team's astonishment, revealing that the decision was apparently orchestrated entirely behind his back.
The champion made it clear that he has always chosen to protect his legacy through active competition rather than public relations statements, declaring his immediate readiness to step into the ring against Fury, Joshua, or any other challenger.
“Nobody asked me or my team anything before this decision. I have defended this title in the ring, not in a press release. I am ready to fight anyone — Fury, Joshua, anybody — tomorrow, next month, whenever suits... I would not accept the situation when a champion's future is decided on paper, not in the ring,” Gassiev said.
Disappointed by the prospect of boxing politics overshadowing athletic merit, Gassiev stated he refuses to let a champion's future be dictated on paper rather than through active competition.
In a decisive move to protect his career trajectory, Gassiev's management has lodged an official objection with the WBA.
The filing demands that the sanctioning body publicly refute the current rumors and freeze any administrative actions that would strip the reigning champion of his earned status. (IBA)
