Anthony Joshua Names Murat Gassiev as Next Opponent After Tyson Fury Bout

Anthony Joshua has announced who he wants to face next if he manages to overcome Tyson Fury in their upcoming fight. The highly anticipated battle between these two British heavyweight stars is scheduled for December 11th at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

This matchup, considered one of the biggest in British boxing history, has seen numerous delays over the past decade as promoters tried to move it from negotiations to the ring. Now, the event is finally set, with more than pride on the line.

WBA 'Super' Heavyweight Title May Be At Stake

Reports suggest that the WBA 'Super' heavyweight championship could be contested in this fight. This would mark a rare occasion, as both fighters currently hold no world titles, making the bout potentially historic.

However, not everyone is pleased. Russian heavyweight Murat Gassiev, who holds the WBA 'regular' heavyweight belt after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his titles in June, has expressed dissatisfaction. Gassiev successfully defended his title against Peter Kadiru in July but faces uncertainty due to the Fury-Joshua fight possibly overshadowing his position.

John Wirt, co-promoter and legal counsel for Gassiev, stated, "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."

Joshua's Commitment to Facing Gassiev

Following the press conference announcing the Fury fight, Joshua spoke with talkSPORT and made his intentions clear. When asked about his next opponent if he wins, Joshua replied simply with two words: "Murat Gassiev."

According to WBA regulations, the 'Super' champion must defend the title against the 'Regular' champion. Although some fighters avoid such mandatory defenses by vacating titles, Joshua appears willing to respect this rule if he claims victory over Fury.

Despite Gassiev not being a particularly marketable name compared to Fury or Joshua, this decision is welcomed by Gassiev’s camp, signaling a potential showdown that would unify titles and settle rankings within the heavyweight division.