Gassiev Open To Germany For Kabayel Unification

WBA heavyweight champion Makhkamjon Gassiev is prepared to fight WBC titleholder Noel Kabayel in Germany for a unification bout, though his team may pursue a voluntary defense before that clash materializes.

Gassiev, who defended his title with a sixth-round stoppage of Peter Kadiru in Moscow on July 11, told The Ring Magazine he has no preference about location. "For me it doesn't matter where I fight," the Russian said. "Germany, neutral territory or the moon. It doesn't matter."

What A Voluntary Defense Could Mean For Gassiev-Kabayel Timeline

Talks between the camps are expected to begin in the coming weeks, per The Ring's report. Kabayel claimed the WBC strap with a sixth-round knockout of Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia last February and defended it in January by stopping Damian Knyba in three rounds at Oberhausen's Rudolf Weber-Arena, which sold out in three days. His Queensberry backers want to capitalise on that home support.

Gassiev acknowledged the decision on timing will come down to his coach. "If he says unification we will go for unification," he said. "But if he says defense, we will go for a defense. Maybe next year or maybe this year we fight Kabayel." Both fighters were elevated from interim status after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his three remaining sanctioning body titles.

The 34-2 Gassiev is taking a mental break after six months in camp for the Kadiru fight. He said discussions with his team will resume in two or three weeks.

Source: ringmagazine.com