Gassiev defends WBA heavyweight title in quiet boxing week

Murat Gassiev will defend his WBA heavyweight title against an opponent to be named after Tony Yoka pulled out with a back injury days before their scheduled bout in Moscow.

Joe Joyce reportedly stands as the credible late replacement for the IBA Pro 19 card on July 11, per Bad Left Hook, with the broadcast details still uncertain for U.S. viewers though the promotion typically streams on YouTube. Gassiev earned the WBA strap through recent promotion, and Jose Uzcategui is slated for the undercard.

Felix Sturm returns at 47 in Stuttgart

The same day brings 47-year-old Felix Sturm against Granit Stein in Stuttgart for Dream Boxing, streaming on DAZN at 11 a.m. ET. Only one other bout on that card runs longer than six rounds, an eight-round middleweight pairing of Elvir Sendro and Luciano Falcao.

Earlier in the week CountryBox returns to Nashville's Plaza Mariachi on July 7, though the promotion has not announced which musical act pairs with the fights this time. Megan Redstall meets Maisey Rose Courtney for a vacant WBO flyweight title on July 12 in Brentwood, England, closing the schedule on DAZN at noon.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Murat Gassiev, Joe Joyce, Felix Sturm and more: Boxing schedule and previews for July 7-12, 2026